AMHERST, MA. —
Jessica Lomo answered an early Tufts goal with an equalizer of her own, but the nationally prominent Jumbos scored the next two to hand the Amherst College women's soccer team a 3-1 NESCAC defeat on Saturday afternoon in the Mammoths' annual Pride Game.
Corina Bellermann kept Amherst within reach with nine saves against an unbeaten Tufts side that piled up 23 shots, 14 of them in the first half. The Mammoths created their chances on the counter and put seven attempts on target, but could not find a second goal against Gigi Edwards.
With the loss, Amherst falls to 4-5-0 overall and 0-5-0 in NESCAC play, while Tufts improves to 5-0-2 and 3-0-2 in the conference.
GAME HIGHLIGHTS:
- Tufts struck first off a set piece. Shortly after a Jumbos corner kick, Maile Lung finished at the 7:09 mark to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
- Amherst needed just four minutes to respond. Katie Pedersen set up Lomo, who buried the equalizer at 11:08 for her team-leading goal of the season and a 1-1 tie.
- The Jumbos then took control of the half, launching a barrage of shots that Bellermann repeatedly turned away, including efforts from Audrey Cromett and Reese Birch. Tufts finally broke through again at 27:04, when Waverly Sumner restored the lead at 2-1. Bellermann stopped Sumner again at 36:37, and Allison Hayes drew a save out of Edwards just before the whistle to send the sides into halftime separated by one.
- Tufts extended the margin early in the second half. Hannah Batt, who came on midway through the first half, finished at the 48:59 mark to make it 3-1.
- Amherst pushed for a way back into the match, with Aubrielle Amaral, Abigail Danso and Pedersen all forcing saves from Edwards over the final 25 minutes, while Bellermann denied Birch, Sumner and Mazie Neville at the other end to keep the deficit at two.
BY THE NUMBERS:
Tufts held a 23-9 advantage in total shots and a 12-7 edge in shots on goal. Bellermann went the full 90 minutes and made nine saves, five of them in the second half. Edwards finished with six saves for Tufts. Lomo scored her goal on two shots, and Pedersen's assist was the lone helper recorded by either side. Seven different Mammoths registered a shot on target. Tufts earned six corner kicks to Amherst's three. Amherst committed five fouls to the Jumbos' eight, and no cards were shown.
UP NEXT:
Amherst returns to action on Saturday, October 10th at 11AM at Hamilton College. Amherst will be looking to get their first victory in the conference.
