AMHERST, Mass. – Amherst College scored two goals in the final 9:01 with senior Taylor Downes (Hastings-on-Hudson, NY) netting the game-winner with only 21 seconds remaining for a dramatic 3-2 victory over visiting Western New England College in a second round match of the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championship Saturday evening (Nov. 10) before 750 chilly fans at Gooding Field.

Despite being out-shot 21-10, the Golden Bears almost upset the sixth-ranked Lord Jeffs after taking a 2-1 lead in the 75th minute on a goal by junior Tony Rosa (Ludlow, MA) with an assist from classmate Dale Totman (Conway, MA).

Amherst (15-3) applied constant pressure down the stretch and tied the contest just 5:04 later on the second goal of the game by junior Jake Duker (Newton, MA).

The contest appeared headed for overtime until Downes sent the hosts to the sectional tournament with his winning shot.

Western New England College took a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute when sophomore Ryan Nugent (Bath, PA) scored off a corner shot.

The Golden Bears kept the Lord Jeffs off the board until Duker tallied the equalizer in the 53rd minute.

WNEC senior goalkeeper Steve Hennessey (Essex Junction, VT) compiled eight saves while junior keeper Jeff Grover (Framingham, MA) stopped two shots for Amherst.

It was a physical match with 27 fouls (Amherst 15, Western New England College 12) and a yellow card issued to each squad.

Last year Western New England College defeated host Amherst 1-0 in a similar second round contest.

Western New England College finished the season with a commendable 15-6-3 record, which included the school's first The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) Tournament title.

The Golden Bears also participated in the NCAA Division III Championship for the fourth consecutive year.