SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. (Sept. 14, 2011) – Sophomore forward Sarah Duffy exploded for four goals to lead the Amherst College soccer team to a 7-0 victory over Mount Holyoke College this evening at the Mount Holyoke Soccer Field. The Lord Jeffs scored five of their seven goals over a 16 minute span in the early stages of the second half.

Amherst took control just 1:11 into the contest, when senior midfielder Jess Wall knocked in a rebound. Sophomore forward Amanda Brisco got the play started with a long feed into the box from the right corner. Senior Jill Kochanek received the pass and had her shot blocked by a Mount Holyoke defender. The rebound went to Wall, who found the net for what proved to be the winner.

Brisco headed in a cross from senior defender Allison Dorey just over a minute later to put the Lord Jeffs in front 2-0.

The guests scored five more times in the second stanza to put things out of reach.

Duffy got the rally started at the 55:08 mark, when she took a through ball from junior midfielder Kathryn Nathan, dribbled in all alone and beat Mount Holyoke first year goalkeeper Taylor Bradley.

First year forward Mel Stier then set up Amherst's next two goals with long passes from the midfield. Brisco scored the first, and Duffy knocked in the second. The two tallies were separated by just over a minute.

From there, Duffy recorded two more goals off assists from Brisco and Nathan.

Mount Holyoke was led by first year midfielder Hannah Yee, senior forward Margaret Hanmer and junior forward Kiana Lussier, who recorded two shots apiece.

Amherst finished with advantages in both shots (32-7) and corner kicks (7-3). Senior goalkeeper Allie Horwitz stopped one shot in 70 minutes en route to the win. She was relieved by classmate Claire Bennett, who collected a pair of saves down the stretch. Junior Emily Shank got the start between the pipes for the Lyons. She turned away four shots in the first half before giving way to Bradley, who also posted four saves.

Both squads are slated to kick off their league schedules on Saturday. Mount Holyoke (1-1, 0-0 NEWMAC) will travel to Smith College at 1:00 p.m., while Amherst (1-0, 0-0 NESCAC) will host Bates College at noon.