WILLIAMSTOWN, MA -- Down four strokes heading into the final round of the 2026 NESCAC Tournament championship, the Amherst women's golf team went hole-to-hole with Middlebury and Williams Sunday at the Taconic Golf Club, looking for any separation it could create.

The Mammoths finally found it on the 18th hole Sunday -- the 54th and final hole of the tournament -- when sophomore Mekhala Costello sank a 2-foot birdie putt that not only gave the Mammoths the championship by one stroke, but claimed the individual medalist honors for herself by a single stroke as well.

Amherst won the NESCAC title for the third time in program history with a team score of 901 (308-292-301). Middlebury was second at 902 and Williams in third at 903. The three shots separating the top three teams marked the narrowest margin atop the leaderboard since the league event was adopted during the 2015-16 season.

It is the Mammoths first conference title since they went back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. 

The Mammoths battled windy conditions all day Sunday, and were neck-and-neck with Middlebury  throughout the round, the two teams trading the lead on multiple occasions.. The Mammoths ultimately finished on top at 49-over par for the three days, followed by Middlebury College who finished at +50 over par. Williams College finished in third, following close behind with a three day total of +51 over par.

On the individual leaderboard, Costello won the individual title, firing a 76 for day 3 (the course is a par 71), with a three day total of +6 over par (219 (75-68-76). Tied with her Middlebury foe after 53 holes, Costello opened the 18th with a tremendous tee shot that allowed her to get on the green in two shots. Se left her eagle try 2 feet shy but tapped in for birdie to give Amherst -- and herself -- the championship. 

Leading the Mammoths for day 3, freshman Emma Lindemoen fired at 73, starting off her round with two birdies and finishing strong with a birdie on 18. Sophomore Joelle Kim followed closely with a 74, also birding her last hole. Costello shot 76, sophomore Jia An shot 78, and freshman Renna Chang shot 82. 

The Mammoths, #5 in the nation, have completed their regular season. As the NESCAC Champions, the Mammoths will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA DIII Women's Golf Championship in a two weeks.