AMHERST, Mass. – The Connecticut College women's soccer team kicked off a new era, scoring three goals in the second half, to stun No. 22 Amherst College 4-3 on Saturday afternoon from Hitchcock Field, as head coach Keith Simons earned his first win on the Camels sideline.
Conn started on the front foot, earning two corner kicks inside the opening five minutes, but the Camels were unable to capitalize. Amherst responded with the first three shots of the game, as Maia Kafer (Philadelphia, Pa.) made three saves in a four minute stretch, before Claire Chace (Bristol, R.I.) recorded Conn's first shot of the afternoon.
The Camels opened the scoring with just under 25 minutes left in the half, as two first-years connected for Conn. Danica Zicha (Belmont, Mass.) forced a turnover inside the Mammoths own box, before laying a pass off to Morgan Lovell (Franklin, Mass.) who fired towards the far post to make it 1-0. However, Amherst responded just a minute and half later, as Jessica Lomo snuck a shot into the far top corner to make it 1-1.
The Mammoths kept the pressure on the Camels, scoring twice in 56 seconds, to take a 3-1 lead with 17 minutes left in the half. Conn answered with pressure of their own, earning three more corners off the final 12 minutes, but were unable to take advantage, trailing 3-1 at the break.
Conn came out of the break looking to get back into the game, firing off five shots in the first 10 minutes of the second half, with two forcing saves from Molly Davidson. With just under 30 minutes remaining the Camels got a goal back. Lovell returned the favor to Zicha, playing a long ball towards the Amherst box that Zicha beat Davidson to, before stepping around the goalkeeper and making it 3-2 at 61:27.
Off the ensuing kickoff, Conn forced a turnover as Zola Alcaro (Norwell, Mass.) played Zicha in on goal, but her shot was stopped by Davidson, however the rebound fell to Lovell who stepped around a defender and fired home to even the score at three, with just over 28 minutes remaining. The Camels continued pushing for the go-ahead marker, and found with 16:24 to play. Blessing Kieh (Monrovia, Liberia) was working one-on-one at the top of the box, and finessed a shot into the far post to put Conn in front 4-3.
Amherst upped the pressure looking for the equalizer and earned a freekick just outside of the box with three minutes remaining. Katie Pedersen took the freekick for the Mammoths but her effort went over the crossbar. Conn nearly added an insurance marker seconds later, as Zicha played a pass to Mae Mastrullo (Hudson, Mass.), but her shot was stopped by Corina Bellermann. Conn closed out the final seconds to come away with the 4-3 win.
Conn outshot Amherst 21-13 overall, and held an 11-7 edge on shots on goal and 6-2 advantage on corner kicks.
Kafer picked up the win in goal, finishing with four saves. Lovell led the Camels attack with five points on two goals and one assist, while Zicha added one goal and one assist, with Kieh chipping in the game winner.
Davidson got the start in goal, finishing with six saves in 78 minutes for Amherst, while Bellermann closed out the game with one save. Lomo paced Amherst with two goals, while Maya Siegel added the third, while two other Mammoths recorded one assist.
Conn returns home for the first time in the new campaign as the Camels host Salve Regina on Monday night at 7:00 p.m. on Silfen Field.
