The Dream Season

By Justin Long

Men’s soccer ended its season in December as the most decorated team in program history, winning its first NESCAC title and advancing to the semifinal round of the NCAA Championships. The team became only the second in program history to reach the Final Four.

Over the season, the Lord Jeffs went 15-4-3, falling in the national semifinal to Stevens Institute of Technology. Amherst carried a 13-game unbeaten streak and a seven-game shutout streak into its final match, but a high-powered Stevens offense proved to be too much and the Ducks advanced to the national finals with a 4-1 victory.

“I couldn’t be prouder of this team and of this group of seniors,” Head Coach Justin Serpone said of his Amherst team after the final game.

Jake Duker ’09 was the conference’s scoring leader at season’s end with 16 goals and three assists for 35 points, while Nick Lynch ’09’s 10 assists were a conference best. Duker, Lynch and Grayson Holland ’09 all received NSCAA All-Region awards, with Holland grabbing All-American honors as well.

Men’s soccer previously reached the Final Four in 1997.