WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The No. 2-ranked and second-seeded Williams College men's soccer team showcased a great deal of resiliency Saturday, as they overcame a 2-0 halftime deficit to force overtime against eighth-seeded Amherst during the NESCAC Semifinals, but the Mammoths won the shootout, 5-3, on Cole Field.

"First of all, congratulations to Amherst on reaching the NESCAC Final," said sixth-year head coach Steffen Siebert. "It was a great performance from the team today. This game will be a great reminder that no matter the score we can overcome anything. After a fantastic season so far, we are now looking forward to the NCAA Division III Selection Show to see who we will play next."

The game goes down as a 2-2 tie for the Ephs (11-2-3, 6-2-2 NESCAC) and Mammoths (8-3-6, 2-3-5 NESCAC), but Amherst's victory in the shootout propels the team to the NESCAC Final Sunday at noon on Cole Field against No. 4 and fifth-seeded Tufts (9-3-5, 5-3-2 NESCAC). The Jumbos tied No. 24 and sixth-seeded Hamilton (7-4-5, 3-4-3 NESCAC), 1-1, during the other semifinal-round matchup Saturday in Williamstown, and then Tufts emerged victorious, 4-3, in penalty kicks.

The Mammoths scored a pair of goals 45 second apart to take an early 2-0 lead. Finn Hoefer scored in the 22nd minute, and then Obed Opoku found the back of the net during the 23rd minute.

Williams regrouped at halftime and found the back of the net three minutes, 38 seconds into the second half. Seniors Spencer Mix and Kellan Grace created the scoring opportunity, and then junior forward Alex Bethencourt buried his fourth goal of the season with a left-footed strike from the edge of the 18-yard box that found the bottom right corner of the goal.

The hosts evened the game at 2-2 with 5:12 remaining on the scoreboard, as first-year Nick Appleton dribbled into the right side of the box and crossed the ball. Sophomore forward JJ Ruehlemann one-timed the ball into the back of the net to force overtime.

During the shootout, junior goalkeeper Kai Darrell, junior Ben Brown and Appleton scored for the Ephs. Amherst scored all five of its attempts, with the goals coming from Hoefer, Vincent Akanbo, Jacob Lahlou, Mohammed Nuhu and Jacob Dinzeo.

Williams led in total shots, 31-29, and held a 16-12 advantage in shots on goal. The Mammoths attempted six corner kicks and Williams was awarded four.

The Ephs will stay tuned for the NCAA Selection Show on Monday at 11 a.m.