THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke hosts non-conference foe Amherst College this evening at the Soccer Field. In 22 previous meetings between the programs, the Lord Jeffs own a 15-6 advantage. The teams have finished in a deadlock on one occasion. Last fall, Amherst downed the Lyons for a the 11th time in a row, winning by a score of 3-0. Match Program

THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (1-0, 0-0 NEWMAC) kicked off its 2011 campaign in fashion, defeating Colby-Sawyer College 2-1 on Saturday. Trailing 1-0 at the break, the Lyons roared back behind second half goals by forwards Hannah Yee and Kiana Lussier. Playing in her first collegiate contest, Yee knotted things up in the 57th minute off an assist from midfielder Mallory Phaneuf. Lussier then recorded what proved to be the winner five minutes later. After receiving a pass from the midfield, she dribbled around a defender into the box and slipped a shot under Colby-Sawyer goalkeeper Ektra Sampson. It was her first goal in a Mount Holyoke uniform. The Lyons finished with advantages in both shots (22-13) and corner kicks (5-1). Goalkeeper Emily Shank made six saves en route to her first collegiate win.

THE LORD JEFFS: Amherst (0-0, 0-0 NESCAC) opens its season with high hopes after posting an overall record of 8-7-2 in 2010. The Lord Jeffs will once again look to forwards Amanda Brisco and Kathryn Nathan to shoulder the scoring load. Last fall, Brisco found the back of the net six times. Three of those tallies went down as winners. Nathan was also effective up front, scoring five goals. On the other end, Allie Horwitz returns after posting a goals against average of 1.12. 

NEXT UP: Both squads are slated to kick off their league schedules on Saturday. Mount Holyoke will travel to Smith College at 1:00 p.m., while Amherst will host Bates College at noon.