LAS VEGAS, Nev. (MWSN) — In a tense and unforgettable finale at Peter Johann Memorial Field, the No. 8 Amherst College men’s soccer team secured the 2024 NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Connecticut College on Saturday afternoon. The Mammoths claimed their second national title in program history and their first since 2015.
The title game, a rematch of the 2021 final, ended scoreless after 90 minutes of regulation and two overtime periods. Amherst’s senior goalkeeper Max Landa made three crucial saves during the shootout, setting the stage for senior Simon Kalinauskas to deliver the decisive penalty and clinch the championship with a 4-3 advantage in penalties.
Amherst Men’s Soccer 2024 Tournament Recap
- Nov. 16: Beat Neumann 3-1 at home.
- Nov. 17: Tied Stevens 1-1, won in PKs (Home).
- Nov. 23: Beat Wis.-Superior 3-2 (2OT).
- Nov. 24: Defeated Wis.-Eau Claire 2-1.
- Dec. 5: Beat Middlebury 2-1 in Las Vegas.
- Dec. 7: Tied Conn. College 0-0, won in PKs 4-3 for the title.
Both teams struggled to find a breakthrough during regulation. The Mammoths’ aerial prowess, led by first-year standout Michael Cherico, created several opportunities, including a disallowed goal by sophomore Fynn Hayton-Ruffner for offside. Connecticut College responded with dangerous moments of its own, forcing Landa into action on multiple occasions.
Amherst pressed relentlessly in the closing minutes of regulation, with sophomore Mohammed Nuhu testing Connecticut goalkeeper Peter Silvester three times in quick succession. Silvester’s heroics, including a fingertip save on Nuhu’s long-range effort, kept the Camels in the game.
The overtime periods saw chances for both sides but no decisive goal, sending the match to penalties.
Landa set the tone by diving to save Connecticut’s first penalty, and Nuhu converted to give Amherst an early edge. The shootout remained deadlocked at 3-3 after five rounds, but Landa’s third save opened the door for Kalinauskas, who calmly slotted the winning kick to secure Amherst’s championship.
Amherst Men’s Soccer 2024 Season Highlights
- Record: 16-2-4 overall, 7-2-1 in conference play.
- Goals Scored: 42 goals, averaging 1.91 per game.
- Goals Allowed: 14 goals, a stellar 0.64 goals-against average.
- Shots: Outshot opponents 349 to 148, averaging 15.9 shots per game.
- Shots on Goal: 152 of 349 shots on target (43.6% accuracy).
Amherst’s Fynn Hayton-Ruffner was named the tournament’s Outstanding Offensive Player, while teammates Ben Clark-Eden, Luka Ohadike, and Max Landa earned spots on the Final Four All-Tournament Team.
The Mammoths finish the 2024 season as national champions with a 16-2-4 record, marking their fourth appearance in the NCAA final in the past five seasons.
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