AMHERST, Mass. -- The struggle was real. 

For the first three quarters of its critical conference clash with Bates on Pratt Field at Lehrman Stadium Saturday afternoon, the Amherst College women's lacrosse team played the role of Sisyphus, constantly attempting to push uphill from an early three-goal deficit that turned into a five-goal deficit twice in the first half. After three quarters, the Mammoths still faced a challenging debt, trailing 11-8. 

But as the fourth quarter began the Mammoths collectively transformed from one Greek mythology to another, leaving Sisyphus in the rearview mirror and using a Herculean effort to outscore the visiting Bobcats 6-0 in the final 15 minutes to post an impressive 14-11 come-from behind victory.

Amherst improved to 9-3 overall with the win, 5-3 in NESCAC play. Bates fell to 7-7 overall, 3-6 in the conference. 

Clara Sosa and Bridget Finley had four goals each, while Emily Petersen added the hat trick in the victory. 

The win brought about a satisfying conclusion to the Mammoths' 2025 Senior Day in which they honored seniors Carlin Chazen, Sydney Kang, Maisie Stewart, Brynn Korpi, Elizabeth Rose, Rachel Rogers, Olivia Stewart and Annie Rosenman.

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

* Amherst trailed 9-4 at halftime but made positive progress in the third quarter, outscoring Bates 4-2 to climb within two goals at 10-8 with 4:13 to go in the stanza after a beautiful feed from behind the Bobcats' goal from Kate Becker found Bridget Darcy alone in front of the cage and Darcy's one-timer beat the Bobcat keeper to make it 10-8.

* Bates responded with what good have been a backbreaking tally with 1:32 lef tin the third. With one second left on the shot clock, Bobcat Zoe Schaedle scored from close range to put her team back up by three. 

* The fourth quarter was all Amherst, beginning just 59 seconds into the frame when Petersen made a mad dash to the goal from the left side, and, finding no resistance, easily slipped a shot from the crease into the net to make it an 11-9 game. Just 28 seconds later, she completed her hat trick and made it a one-goal game with a near carbon copy tally, except adding a degree of difficulty as she raced in from the left side and niftily split two Bobcat defenders for a close-range score.

* With 10:42 to go, Sosa brought the Mammoths even by converting a free-position shot. Amherst took its first lead with 8:07 remaining when Finley founder herself in space about 10 meters out and rifled a shot just under the crossbar. Only 7:25 remained when the Mammoths went up two goals, as some precision passing from Mia Raven to Becker to Finley resulted in Finley's fourth and final goal of the contest.

* Rose won a huge draw control after that 13th goal, but a turnover gave Bates an opening, which was quickly closed by Mammoth first-year goalkeeper Lily Samoska, who made an outstanding stop on a free-position attempt by Bates' Laci Raveis with 4:30 left. That gave possession back to Amherst and the Mammoths made it count, not only taking over a minute off the clock but having Sosa convert a free-position attempt with 3:08 remaining for her fourth goal of the game and a 14-11 lead. 

* Samoska was at it again with 2:25 left, making yet another big save on a close-range shot by Raveis. Bates regained control, but Mammoth defender Katie Savino came up with a big caused turnover, snatching a pass out of the air, to regain possession for the Mammoths.

BY THE NUMBERS:

* Amherst finished with a 30-26 edge in shots, 16-15 in shots on goal. 

* Samoska finished with 11 saves for the Mammoths. 

* Korpi, Savino, Raven and Sosa each had two caused turnovers in the win. 

* Olivia Summers led the Mammoths with three groundballs, while Annie McCarthy, Kang and Raven had two each. 

* Rose led the Mammoths with seven draw controls.