AMHERST, Mass. -- Spectacular second-half goals from Ignacio Cubeddu and Ada Okorogheye Saturday lifted the 3rd-ranked Amherst College men's soccer team past rival #23rd-ranked Williams College, 2-1, at Gooding Field. 

"That was more like it," said Amherst head coach Justin Serpone. "Whether we won or lost today, we needed to play with energy and passion and I thought we did that. The foundation of what we're built on is that competitive energy. We'll enjoy this for a few hours and then everything is about Conn College. They are undefeated and it's going to take another full effort."

Amherst improved to 7-1-1 overall with the win. The Mammoths sit atop the NESCAC standings after today with a 4-0-1 conference record. Williams fell to 5-2-1 overall and 2-2-1 in conference play. 

The Mammoths take on unbeaten Connecticut College (6-0-2) Tuesday at 4 p.m. in New London, CT.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

* The Mammoths came out and dominated play in the first half, at least in terms of possession and scoring chances. In the game's 15th minute, Mammoth Niall Murphy absolutely crushed a ball from 30 yards out that Eph keeper Ben Diffley got two hands on to push aside.

* With just under four minutes to go in the first half, Fynn Hayton-Ruffner had a throw-in from the left side. It connected with Riley Priddy in the center of the Williams box. Priddey headed it across to Andrew Tremante, who got off a header toward the goal that seemed as if it may find the lower right corner, but Diffley made a diving stop to preserve the scoreless tie. 

* Williams found its footing in early second-half play and the intensity ratcheted up a level. Still, Amherst controlled the better scoring chances. Priddy had a rocket of a shot from 22 yards out that Diffley stopped, and first-year Mohammed Nuhu used some fancy football along the end line to let loose with a ball that seemed destined to connect with teammate Shawn Rapal right in front or perhaps the net, but Diffley dov to snare the laser. 

* Finally, with 26:10 remaining in the contest, Cubeddu lined up a free kick from 40 yards out. Passing on serving it into the box, Cubeddu boomed a long shot that seemed destined to go over the upper 90 on the right side. But the incredibly well-struck ball bent back to the left and just under the crossbar and just over the outstretched fingers of Diffley for a one-goal Amherst lead. 

* With just 13:48 left, a one-man effort by co-captain Okorogheye provided some what-turned-out-to-be needed insurance. Wyatt McCarthy launched a ball out of his own third that sent Okorogheye against three Eph defenders near the left sideline. Okorogheye bodied one Eph off the ball, then toe-poked it away from a second, taking a step and sliding into a shot from 32 yards out. The ball sailed perfectly over Diffley, who may have got his fingers on this one, and into the top far right-hand corner of the goal for a stunning score and a 2-0 lead. 

"Williams is so hard to score on and it took two unbelievable plays to get the win," Serpone said. "It was a battle the whole day and in this rivalry, I'd expect nothing less."

The Ephs scored with just 2:05 to go in the game to halve their deficit, but the Mammoths were able to play out the last 125 seconds to secure the win. 



BY THE NUMBERS:

* Amherst had a 17-5 advantage in shots and a 4-3 edge in corner kick opportunities. Diffley made 7 saves for the Ephs, while Amherst keeper Max Landa had one. 

* Since 1996, the two long-time rivals have met 32 times, with the series now even at 13-13-6.