RIC Beaten by Defending National Champion Amherst, the Top Ranked Team in Division III

Providence, R.I.-Rhode Island College fell to No. 1 Amherst, the defending NCAA Division III National Champion, by a score of 4-1 in a non-conference contest played at Alumni Field on Wednesday evening.

Amherst (1-0) took control of the game early and got on the board first when junior Weller Hlinomaz put in an unassisted tally just 3:54 into the contest. The Purple & White added to their lead in the 29^th minute when senior Andrew Orozco (Coronado, CA) controlled a loose ball and slid a pass to senior Cameron Bean (Atlanta, GA). Bean then connected on a pass to senior Bryce Ciambella (Ocala, FL)who pushed a shot into the corner of the net and gave the visitors the two goal advantage.

Senior Chris Martin (Philadelphia, PA) struck for Amherst less than a minute later, scoring with an assist credited to senior Forest Sisk (Sudbury, MA) at the 29:39 mark.  The visiting Purple & White then took a 3-0 lead into halftime.

The second half saw Rhode Island College (1-2) have several scoring changes early on, which included a blast from junior forward Komla Dogbey (Providence, RI)that was turned away by the Amherst junior goalkeeper Lee Owen (Hastings on Hudson, NY) with a diving stop.

Freshman Dane Lind capped off the scoring for Amherst in the 69^th minute as his blast from 25 yards out made the score 4-0. The Anchormen were able to get on the board in the 81^st minute as Amherst was whistled for a questionable foul in the box.  Senior Thomas Wampler (Attleboro, MA) then converted the penalty kick, his second in as many games, to break up the shutout bid.

Senior Chris Moura (Rumford, RI) notched eight saves in the setback for RIC, while Owen made four stops in the victory (1-0) for Amherst. The Purple and White finished with a slight edge, 16-14, in shots. RIC led in corner kicks, 6-2.

In upcoming action, Rhode Island College will host Regis on Saturday, Sept. 10 (1 p.m.).