Amherst Pulls Away From Hockey for 5-1 NESCAC Win

AMHERST, MA (February 15, 2025) - Host Amherst College pulled away in the third period for a 5-1 NESCAC victory over Tufts University Saturday afternoon at Orr Rink.

The Mammoths (9-11-2, 6-8-2), who entered the day ninth in NESCAC, earn three important points as they fight for one of the eight berths into the upcoming conference tournament. Twelve Amherst players collected points today, led by two goals from junior Zachary Murray.

Tufts drops to 9-11-1 overall and 7-9 in the conference, remaining at 22 points. They are tied for fifth place in the standings with Middlebury College (the Jumbos own the tie-breaker due to a season sweep versus the Panthers). Tufts' goal at Amherst came from freshman Rory Andriole, which had tied the game in the first period.

Amherst took a 1-0 lead today when a pass by junior Ryan Corcoran from his own end deflected off a Tufts player and skirted all the way into the Tufts zone. Mammoth junior Josh Burke was all alone to collect it and scored from the right edge of the left circle at 3:32.

Just 44 seconds later, Andriole tied it for the Jumbos by batting in the rebound of a shot by freshman Bryceon Lago. Sophomore Trace Norwell had set up Lago's open shot from above the right circle, which Amherst goalie Andrew Palena saved but could not control.

The Mammoths took a lead they would not relinquish 3:23 into the second period. Freshman Cristobal Tola zipped a pass across the ice to senior Ben Kuzma entering the Tufts zone on the right side. His shot from low in the circle squirted through Jumbo goal Gus Bylin and sophomore Matt Vander Vort was charging the net to score on the rebound.

The hosts would take control of the game in the third period, scoring twice in the first five minutes to earn a 4-1 advantage. Senior Bobby Luca came from behind the net to stuff the puck inside the left post just 37 seconds into the third. Then on a power play, sophomore Vincent Velocci passed from behind the net out to sophomore Zack Jesse in the right circle. He found Murray alone in front of the net for a tap-in at 4:49.

Murray added his second goal of the game at 8:14 from sophomore Jacob Pohl to complete the scoring.

Shots were close at 36-35 in favor of Amherst. Palena was solid in the Mammoth net stopping 34 shots. Bylin made 23 saves in a little more than 48 minutes of action. Freshman Tade Carman came on for the last 11-plus minutes and stopped eight shots.

Tufts finishes its regular-season at home against Colby College and Bowdoin College next weekend when they will look to secure a home playoff berth.