One more to go.
In a gripping display of skill and tenacity, the Amherst College men’s soccer team bested Middlebury, 2-1, clinching a spot in the NCAA Division III title game during a riveting Final Four semifinal under the bright lights of Las Vegas.
The Mammoths stormed back in the second half, netting two crucial goals that propelled them to the championship match for the second consecutive year, solidifying their prowess in the tournament.
Emerging from a scoreless first half, Amherst struck early; just a minute into the second act, Simon Kalinauskas soared above the field, heading home a well-placed corner from Jacob Dinzeo at the 46:16 mark, igniting the soulful cheers of Mammoths’ supporters.
But Middlebury, undeterred and quick to respond, leveled the match just minutes later. Tyler Payne, in a display of agility and accuracy, unleashed a mid-air volley that found its way past the outstretched arms of Amherst goalkeeper Max Landa, syncing the score at 1-1 at 49:35.
As the tension thickened, the Mammoths seized a golden opportunity when a penalty was awarded after a thorough VAR review. With the weight of the game on his shoulders, Mohammed Nuhu, who had already proven instrumental throughout the season, stepped up and fired the penalty past Middlebury’s keeper, Joey Waterman. Despite Waterman’s valiant attempt to deflect the shot, it ricocheted off his hand only to find the net, reestablishing Amherst’s lead at 65:37.
Barely moments after Nuhu’s strike, Middlebury seemed poised to retaliate, pressing hard to secure a penalty of their own following a contentious challenge in the Mammoths’ box. Yet, after yet another scrutiny by the referee, the verdict was no foul—a decision that left the Panthers reeling.
This vital goal by Nuhu, who topped Amherst’s scoring charts during the regular season, proved to be the decisive moment of the evening; a culmination of focus, skill, and sheer determination when it mattered most.
True to form, this encounter unfolded as yet another nail-biter. Mirroring their previous 11 clashes, this match culminated in yet another one-goal game, echoing the lone regular-season affair between these NESCAC rivals—a tense 1-1 stalemate back on September 21 in Amherst.
The action statistics highlighted a closely contested skirmish, with Amherst racking up 13 shots (three on target) against Middlebury’s 10 (also three on target). Both teams earned four corners, with the Mammoths converting their first attempt of the second half into a goal.
With an impressive season record standing at 15-2-4, Amherst gears up for a momentous face-off against either Connecticut College or Washington & Lee in the national championship game, scheduled to unfold back in Las Vegas this Saturday at 3 p.m.
Last year, the Mammoths narrowly missed glory, falling to St. Olaf College in a heart-wrenching overtime showdown, 2-1. The stakes are undeniably high as they seek redemption on the grandest stage of Division III soccer.
