AMHERST, MA. – The Mammoths overcame the Babson Beavers 2-1 in a physical game on Tuesday evening. Amherst, ranked #13 this week, improved its record to 4-0-3. 
After playing a tie game against #7 Middlebury on Saturday, the Mammoths are looking strong ahead of their next conference game against Bates this Saturday.

"I'd say it was definitely a tale of two halves," Amherst head coach Justin Serpone said. "We had the better chances in the first half, but they took it to us in the second frame."

"Michael Cherico had another terrific day today," Serpone added. "He's such a good player."

"If you're a First-Year on our team your first two-and-a-half weeks of college soccer have consisted of some of the toughest, most physical battles that you could ever imagine," Serpone concluded. "We've played five NCAA tournament teams from last fall, with three of them on the road. Talk about being thrown into the fire…."

GAME HIGHLIGHTS:

*   Amherst started strong against the Beavers, opening the score in the 8th minute. The Mammoths took possession on the right side, near the box where Cherico passed a high ball to Sam Davis, who passed it to Mohammed Nuhu with his head. Nuhu showed incredible athleticism by taking a shot off the air with his right foot, sending the ball to the back of the net, and putting Amherst in an early lead.  
* The Mammoths extended their lead in the 25th minute with a well-constructed goal. Vincent Akanbo from the midfield was able to find Nuhu near the box. Nuhu passed the ball to Obed Opoku on the left side of the box, who confidently approached the goal, placing the ball just past the Beavers' goalie, and to the right side of the goal, putting Amherst up 2-0 in the 1st half.
*   Babson came to the 2nd half with much energy, putting Amherst under pressure. The Beavers could score in the 60th minute, setting up a physical last 3rd of the game. Charles of Babson crossed the ball to the box, finding Yablonovsk, who scored a header with a ricochet off of Sheppard, making the score 2-1.
*   Babson kept the pressure up, looking to equalize. The Beavers had a dangerous chance in the 77th minute when Martinez shot a ball just high from Amherst's goal. Trey Sheppard made a diving save, one of his four in the game, at the right post to preserve the lead.The Mammoths showed strong defense in the rest of the game and came out with a victory.

BY THE NUMBERS:

* The Mammoths had 13 shots, 7 on goal, to Babson's 8 and 5. Babson led 7-4 in corners.  

UP NEXT:

* The Mammoths have their annual Pride Game on Saturday against Bates College on their home field, Hitchcock. It will be their 4th conference game, and it will take place at 2:30 PM.