AMHERST, Mass. – November 14, 2015 - The Colby-Sawyer women's soccer team pushed #16 nationally ranked Amherst College to the brink in Saturday's NCAA First Round, but the Purple and White found the lone goal of the match in the 80th minute to advance.

Junior Ashlyn Heller scored the game-winner to send Amherst into the Second Round of the NCAA Championship on Sunday against the winner of Brandeis University/Western Connecticut State University. With the loss, Colby-Sawyer concludes its 2015 campaign. They finish the season with a 13-4-2 overall record.

In a scoreless opening 45 minutes of play, Amherst dictated the pace, outshooting the visiting Chargers 18-4 and holding a 15-3 advantage in corner kicks.

Caleigh Plaut had an outstanding opportunity to give Amherst the 1-0 lead with five minutes remaining in the first half, but Karley Hamilton made a fantastic save, diving to her right to stop the shot from the top of the box and preserve the 0-0 deadlock.

Keeping up the pressure, Amherst closed first half with two close opportunities; with captain Jessy Hale forcing Amanda Martin to make a defensive save with 2:03 left and Haley Zwecker sending a shot towards net that was just deflected high by Hamilton with 2:47 remaining on the clock.

The second half began in unusual fashion, with the Purple & White earning an indirect kick inside of the box two-minutes into play after a Colby-Sawyer player falling on top of the ball was ruled incidental. The shot from Hannah Guzzi on the play was blocked. 

Charger Corrie Hoyt gave Colby-Sawyer its best chance of the game in the 57th minute, sending a free kick from the right sideline inches over the Amherst goal. 

Heller tapped in the game's winning goal from point-blank range with 10:34 remaining to make it a 1-0 contest. Sending a cross into the box, Emily Hester's cross found the feet of Plaut who was able to deflect the ball to Heller.

Amherst outshot Colby-Sawyer 29-13 in the matchup, and held a decisive 19-4 advantage in corner opportunities.

Karley Hamilton played arguably her best collegiate game on the biggest stage making numerous memorable saves to keep the Chargers in the game. She finished with an impressive 11 saves. Dominique Papa took a team-high four shots and accounted for three of Colby-Sawyer's five shots on frame in the outing.

Amherst goalkeeper Holly Burwick registered five saves in the shutout victory. Megan Kim led all players, taking a game-high seven shots.

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