Around the Herd: Sept. 24 to Sept. 30 in Athletics

Field Hockey

This week, the field hockey team played three games during its homestand. On Wednesday, they faced MIT and lost 2-1 in a penalty shootout; on Saturday, they fell to Bates 2-1 in regulation; and on Sunday, they ended their week on a high note, shutting out Colby 2-0.

Against the Mules at Hill Field, Amherst found early offensive chances. Colby’s goaltender was forced to make a save against a close-range shot from Molly Donegan ’26. Minutes later, Emily Huehn ’28 was set up for a shot on a penalty corner, but the ball was cleared away from the goal. Later in the first period, the Mules found their own offensive stride and were awarded three corners, but defensive pressure from Katie Savino ’28 and a key save from Kate Grady ’28 kept the game scoreless. Halfway through the second quarter, Maya Harrington ’27 buried a rebounded shot from Huehn to put the Mammoths ahead. Genevieve Caruso ’27 doubled the lead with five minutes left in the third stanza when a shot from Dylan Bloom ’27 deflected off Caruso’s stick and into the net. In the last 10 minutes of the game, Katie Kantrovitz ’27 blocked and cleared the ball from the goal line to secure the shutout for Amherst. With a 2-0 win, the Mammoths posted a 1-2 record on the week and improved to 4-4 overall so far this season. 

The team will travel to face Western New England University next on Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Women’s Soccer

This week, the women’s soccer team played three games. They opened with a 3-0 victory at Springfield College on Tuesday, then earned a 2-0 home win over Bates on Saturday. Finally, they wrapped up their week with a 1-1 home draw against Colby on Sunday.

The Mammoths came out especially strong against Bates, scoring their first goal less than five minutes into the game when Ella Johnson ’26 deftly launched a pass to Sophia Haynes ’26, who powered it into the net for a 1-0 lead. Six minutes later, freshman Emma Darling drove the ball up the field before executing an expert pass to Caroline Coletti ’27, who sent the ball flying into the net and moved the score up to 2-0. Some time later, Katie Pendersen ’27 and Ani Populoh ’29 each threatened Bates’ goalkeeper with shots at the 66th and 69th minute mark, respectively. On the defensive side, goalkeepers Lulu Fickes ’26 and Molly Davidson ’29 swatted away both of the Bobcats’ attempts on goal, working with the defensive line to keep Bates from scoring a single time. Beyond the final score, the Mammoths dominated the stat sheet, recording 10 shots on goal compared to Bates’ two, and earning 11 corner kicks while Bates managed just one.

Up next, the  6-1-1 Mammoths travel to face NESCAC rival Wesleyan on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 12 p.m.

Men’s Soccer

This week, the men’s soccer team played three games at home. On Tuesday, they opened with a 2-1 win over Babson. On Saturday, they suffered their first home loss of the season, falling 3-0 to Bates and on Sunday, they bounced back, shutting out Colby 1-0.

At Hitchcock Field against the Mules, Amherst was dominant from the start. In the first 10 minutes of play, Timothy Chow ’29 crossed the ball 25 yards from the goal into the top of the center box on a throw-in. The ball found Vincent Akanbo ’29, who — under pressure — chipped the ball towards Mohammed Nuhu ’27. The forward then launched the ball into the back of the net, putting the Mammoths ahead with his fourth goal of the season. Minutes later, Nuhu almost scored again after he took a shot off a header from Riley Priddy ’27, but the attempt was just high of the goal. Amherst continued to create offensive opportunities in the second half. A pass from Nuhu found Michael Cherico ’28 in a good position in the 47th minute, but the ball went wide. Less than 10 minutes later, Jacob Dinzeo ’28 dodged three Colby defenders to run the ball from the midfield all the way to the box. With a connecting pass from Nuhu, the play allowed Akanbo to make a shot attempt that flew inches above the goal posts. In the last minutes of the game, the Mules made a last-ditch effort to even the score, but a crucial save from goalkeeper Spencer Kreitzer ’29 kept the Mammoths ahead. The team’s defensive prowess for the rest of the game sealed their 1-0 shutout victory. With a record of 2-1 on the week, Amherst moves to 5-1-3 for the season thus far.

They will next take on Wesleyan in Middletown next Saturday, Oct. 4.

Volleyball

This week, the women’s volleyball team played just one game, traveling to Clinton, New York, on Friday for a conference matchup against Hamilton. They came away with a clean sweep, defeating the Continentals 3-0.

The first set started evenly, with both teams trading points. Allie McLaughlin ’27 and Sofia Camilo ’28 notched the first points for the Mammoths, but the Continentals continued to battle. Midway through the set, Hamilton took the lead, but key blocks and points from McLaughlin again kept the Mammoths in it. Charlotte Rasmussen ’26 and Ellie Meyers ’28 delivered kills to gain a narrow lead, and McLaughlin’s service ace won the first set for Amherst with a score of 25-22.

The second set looked much like the first: the two teams traded points back and forth to start. Amherst received points from just about everybody, pacing them to a 25-22 victory yet again. This time, it was Brielle Renwick ’27 with the final kill of the set to put the Mammoths up 2-0.

In the third set, Chideraa Ngwadom ’27 registered the first kill before the team came up with two stellar blocks for the early lead. Hamilton went on a run of their own, however, but Amherst — despite trailing 20-18 — scored the next six out of seven points to regain the lead. Addison Lau ’29, Rasmussen, and Meyers each had kills in the rally, in addition to a Renwick-Rasmussen block to take the lead. Rasmussen did it all in set three, getting the final kill to take the set 25-21, and the match 3-0.

The decisive win comes as the Mammoths prepare for a strong lineup of NESCAC battles. In the victory, McLaughlin and Rasmussen were instrumental, with 13 and nine kills, respectively. McLaughlin’s three aces were a team high, and Ngwadom showcased her tough defense with four blocks. 

Next up, the team travels to Maine for two conference games, facing Bowdoin on Friday, Oct. 3, and Colby on Saturday, Oct. 4.

Head of the Herd: Allie McLaughlin ’27

The women’s volleyball team won its second NESCAC game of the season in straight sets against Hamilton. Allie McLaughlin ’27 was instrumental for the Mammoths, who relied on her in key moments. The first set was won by McLaughlin, who aced the Continentals on the 25th point. She continued to contribute critical kills in the second and third sets, to swing the momentum in the Mammoths’ favor. McLaughlin led the team in kills, aces, and digs, and for her performance, she earns this week’s Head of the Herd.