AMHERST, Mass. (Sept. 15, 2010) – Using a balanced scoring attack and a stifling defense, the Amherst College women's soccer team blanked Mount Holyoke College 3-0 this evening at Gooding Field. The Lord Jeffs entered the contest ranked 15th in the latest NSCAA Division III National Poll.
Both teams went scoreless until the 35th minute, when sophomore forward Hannah Cooper collected a crossing feed from classmate Sandy Shepherd and beat Mount Holyoke senior Elaine Harvey for her first goal of the year.
Amherst used a free kick opportunity to extend its cushion to 2-0 in the early stages of the second stanza. Sophomore midfielder Kathryn Nathan was credited with the assist on the play after her cross was headed in by junior defender Jill Kochanek.
Senior forward Jackie Hirsch then closed out the scoring with her first tally of the year at the 68:27 mark. After taking possession away from the Lyons, junior forward Livia Rizzo played the ball ahead to Hirsch, who beat Harvey.
Mount Holyoke's best scoring chance came with 17 minutes remaining in regulation, when a header by junior forward Margaret Hanmer sailed just wide of the net. Hanmer also had a shot earlier in the day.
Amherst (2-0-1, 1-0-1 NESCAC) had a pair of outstanding scoring opportunities late in the game, but Harvey came up with impressive diving saves each time. Over the course of the contest, the senior faced 34 shots and collected 12 saves.
The Lord Jeffs finished with large advantages in shots (34-2) and corners (8-0). Junior goalkeeper Claire Bennett earned a shutout in her first collegiate start despite making no saves.
Mount Holyoke (0-3, 0-0 NEWMAC) will kick off its home slate on Saturday against longtime rival Smith College at 1:00 p.m. It will be the Lyons first NEWMAC contest of the season.
