SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. – A goal from sophomore forward Hannah Guzzi in the 68th minute proved to be the difference as the Amherst College women's soccer team rallied past Mount Holyoke College, 2-1, in non-conference action on Tuesday. With the win, the Jeffs are now 1-0, while the Lyons slip to 1-2 overall.
Mount Holyoke opened the game's scoring as first year forward Sara Sanaú Ruiz (Zaragoza, Spain/P.P. Dominicos – Cardenal Xavierre) netted her second of the season. Off a quick pass from senior forward Ashleigh Hartsock (Stevensville, Md./Kent Island), Sanaú Ruiz sent a long shot from just inside the box toward net. Amherst keeper Holly Burwick (New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan) made a diving attempt, but the ball sailed over her finger into the right corner.
In the 48th minute, the Jeffs would even the score as junior Ashlyn Heller (Mendham, N.J./Newark Academy) dribbled the ball down the middle, going one-on-one with the MHC goalie. She was able to lift a high kick over the reach of junior Zoe Marshall (Mississauga, Ont./Cawthra Park Secondary School) for the equalizer.
The Jeffs continued to pour on the shots throughout the second half, finally finding the back of the net in the 68th minute. Corralling a short pass from junior midfielder Emily Hester (Washington, D.C./National Cathedral School), Guzzi was able to send the ball into the top left corner, giving Amherst the go-ahead tally.
Mount Holyoke tried to battle back, including a shot by first year Dale Leonheart (Petaluma, Calif./St. Vincent de Paul) in the 72nd minute that was stopped short by Burwick, but they could not tie it up.
Amherst held the advantage in shots (37-5) and also had the edge in corner kicks (7-1). Burwick finished the contest with two saves, while Marshall had seven stops.
The Lyons return to the pitch on Saturday, hosting Bryn Mawr at 12pm. Amherst also plays Saturday, welcoming NESCAC-rival Bowdoin at 12pm.
