AMHERST, MA – A
Mekhala Costello header and two goals from
Emma Darling saw No. 23 Amherst College women's soccer take home a win in their regular season finale on Tuesday, Oct. 28. Taking on Trinity at home on Gooding field, the Mammoths took an early lead and did not give it up on the way to a 3-0 victory.
With the win, the Mammoths finish the regular season with a 10-3-2 overall record, including a 5-3-2 mark in the NESCAC, while Trinity finishes their season with a 6-7-2 record (2-7-1 NESCAC). With the win, Amherst clinched a home NESCAC quarterfinal for the 7th straight season, taking home the No. 4 seed for the second consecutive campaign. They will face No. 5 seed Colby, who they tied 1-1 earlier this season, on Saturday, Nov. 1 in a rematch of the 2024 NESCAC Final. Kickoff for the quarterfinal game against the Mules is scheduled for 12:30 p.m.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
* The Mammoths opened the game on the front foot, pushing high up the field and keeping Trinity in their defensive half for most of the game's first 15 minutes. That effort saw them hit paydirt just under 20 minutes in. After earning a corner kick,
Caroline Coletti whipped in a perfect ball to the back post that was headed in by a wide-open Costello to give Amherst a 1-0 advantage.
* The goal seemed to spark the Amherst offense, with the team pushing forward with renewed energy. A series of substitutions also provided a lift, with
Halle Hanna,
Emma Darling, and a returning
Abigail Danso giving the Mammoths a boost that led to their second goal. Coletti again played provider, taking her defender on rocketing a low cross for Hanna. Hanna's one-touch shot was tapped home by Darling to double the Mammoth lead to 2-0 heading into the half.
* It took the home side just 10 more minutes to get their third of the night. After a corner kick by
Millie McLeod was kept in the mix by
Katie Pedersen, she was able to find
Brooke Ingemi at the top right corner of the 18-yard box. Ingemi's cross was initially blocked but fell kindly for
Kate Quigley, who helped to the back post for a waiting Darling. The first year cut the ball back to beat her defender on her first touch and then slotted the ball home to make it 3-0.
* Though the Mammoths threatened, they were not able to put another goal away, and saw the rest of the game out defensively to lock up a 3-0 victory.
BY THE NUMBERS:
* Costello's goal was the first of her collegiate career, while Darling's double moves her into sole possession of the team lead in goals, with 6, and points, with 16, this season.
* The Mammoths outshot the Bantams 8-15 overall and 5-2 in shots on goal. The teams both earned 3 corners in the match.
* Senior
Lulu Fickes made 2 saves on a relatively quiet night in the Mammoths' net.
