Amherst Scores Twice in the Second Half to Defeat Men’s Soccer 2-1

Framingham, Mass.  — The Amherst College men's soccer team used two second half goals from senior Ian Rothkopf (Harvard, Mass.) to defeat the Framingham State University men's soccer team 2-1 in a non-conference men's soccer match at Framingham's Maple Street Field this afternoon.  With the loss, the Rams fall to 10-7 on the season, while the Lord Jeffs improve to 9-1-3.    

Framingham State took a 1-0 lead in the 20^th minute as senior Scotty Faria (Fall River, Mass.) took a cross from sophomore Bryan Damas (Milford, Mass.) and placed a shot in the top right corner for his 10^th goal of the season. 

The Rams would maintain the 1-0 advantage into the half despite being outshot by the Lord Jeffs 5-3 in the frame.

Amherst's offense took control of the game in the second half as they outshot the Rams 12-4.  They had their first opportunity to tie the score just under a minute into the half as sophomore Casey McNamara (Montclair, NJ) fired a shot on net that deflected off of Rams goalkeeper Greg Halle (Beverly, Mass.) then hit the post and curved out of bounds.

In the 54^th minute the Lord Jeffs were able to break into the scoring column as McNamara sent a cross to Rothkopf who placed a shot in the bottom corner for the game tying goal.

Amherst had a chance to break the deadlock with 20 minutes remaining in the game, but Halle was able to make a diving save on McNamara's offering from 10 yards out and the game remained tied until the closing minutes. 

With just over five minutes to play in the game, sophomore Chris Lerner (Canton, Mass.) sent a cross into the box that deflected off a Ram defender.  Rothkopf was able to control the loose ball and knocked it home for his second of the game and what proved to be the game winner.

Junior Lennard Kovacs (Wolfersdorf, Germany) picked up the win in net for the Lord Jeffs making one save, while Halle made ten saves and was tagged with the loss.

The Rams return to action on Wednesday as they travel to Clark University at 6 p.m., while the Lord Jeffs host Trinity on Friday at 3 p.m.