AMHERST, Mass. – The Connecticut College men's soccer team dropped a hard fought battle at number #2 Amherst, falling 1-0 on Saturday afternoon from Hitchcock Field. With the loss, Conn falls to 1-1 on the year and 0-1 in NESCAC play, while Amherst improves to 2-0 overall and 1-0 in conference action.
It was a chippy affair in the conference opener for both squads, but it was the host Mammoths that got off to a strong start. Amherst opened the contest with four shots in the first 10 minutes, but the Conn defense blocked three of the four efforts, with the last going wide.
The Camels responded midway through the opening half with back-to-back corner kicks, but Conn was unable to capitalize. The teams battled for the remainder of the half, but the teams were scoreless at the break.
The chippiness continued to start the second half, however, Amherst opened the scoring in the 55th minute. Aidan Curtis played a cross into the box and connected with Mohammed Nuhu giving the Mammoths a 1-0 lead.
Conn responded with their first effort on goal with a low-driven effort for Matt Quiros-Newton (Alajuela, Costa Rica) but his effort was turned aside. With five minutes left, Amherst looked to put the game out of reach, but Peter Silvester (Smiths Parish, Bermuda) did just enough to deflect the shot off the crossbar, before collecting the loose ball.
Conn was awarded a free kick with exactly four minutes to play, but the cross from Rye Jaran (Downingtown, Pa.) crept too close to the cage, as Perez collected for Amherst. However, time ran out, as the Camels fell 1-0.
Amherst outshot Conn 13-2, while holding a 5-2 edge on shots on target and 8-2 on corner kicks.
Silvester got the start in goal, finishing with four saves. Offensively, Jaran and Quiros-Newton paced Conn, each recording one shot on target. Defensively, Dylan Hoke (Westport, Conn.) led the Camels shutting down numerous chances to limit the dangerous Amherst attack.
Juan Perez got the nod between the sticks finishing with two saves. Nuhu tallied the lone marker, while Curtis added an assist.
Conn (1-0-0 overall) wraps up the short two game road trip on Tuesday, as the Camels head to Newport, R.I. to take on Salve Regina at 7:00 p.m.
