AMHERST, MA- Patience Kum scored 29 seconds into the second half of overtime Saturday, lifting No. 21 Amherst (7-1-0, NESCAC 3-1-0) past Williams (2-5-1/ NESCAC 0-4-1).
The goal came at 100:29 when Patience Kum a freshman danced her way past a trio of Eph defenders to break free into a walk-off goal fired into the right side of the net. The goal is just another iconic moment in the storied rivalry between the two schools.
Eph senior goalie Chelsea Taylor was a defensive stalwart the entire afternoon, setting a NESCAC season-high mark of 17 saves. Her lightning-fast awareness helped push the Mammoth offense to the brink. Amherst controlled the pace the whole game, with a flurry of crosses and stellar dribbling from Ruby Hastie and Alexa Juarez. The Mammoths pressured the Williams defense with 28 total shots and 19 shots on goal. Amherst's best chance in regulation came at the 67th minute, where Hastie slithered into the box with a shot past Taylor that was just wide.
Conversely, Williams struggled to create offensively, with only 5 total shots on goal. Still, the opportunity presented itself in the 69th minute with a strong shot on goal from junior Emma Lynch that nearly went in but was saved by Amherst goalie Mika Fisher.
Though this was a tough loss, the Ephs have much to look forward to after pushing one of the top NESCAC teams. The stellar performance from Taylor gives hope for the rest of the season. Eph head Sarah Raymond explained, "It was a hard-fought NESCAC battle today. Proud of the heart and the fight we displayed. It's a heartbreaking result but we will pick ourselves up and come out ready to compete again tomorrow."
The Ephs travel to Connecticut College tomorrow for another NESCAC encounter with the kickoff slated for 12:00 PM.
