The Amherst College men’s soccer team will play Rochester, Saturday in the NCAA Division III Tournament.
The Sweet 16 matchup will start at 1:30 p.m. at Messiah College’s Shoemaker Field in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania.
The Mammoths are 12-3-3, while the Yellowjackets are 13-3-3.
Messiah (20-2-0) hosts Stevens Institute (13-6-2) at 11 a.m. in the other regional semifinal. The winners will play at 1 p.m. Sunday for a spot in the Final Four in Greensboro, North Caroline.
“At this point, it’s just survive and advance,” Amherst coach Justin Serpone said. “However you do that, whether it’s winning 5-0 or advancing on a penalty kicks, we’re just happy to still be playing.”
The Mammoths are playing in their 17th NCAA tournament since 1993 and are in the Sweet 16 for the eighth straight year.
“We’re looking forward to it. Messiah has one of the best soccer traditions in all of college soccer not just Division III,” Serpone said. “I think the team is excited to get to there and really soak in the atmosphere and give it our best shot.”
Amherst, ranked 16th nationally, reached the Sweet 16 following its penalty kick victory over Springfield at Hitchcock Field Sunday.
The Yellowjackets finished third in the University Athletic Association and earned an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
Rochester beat Amherst’s NESCAC rival Connecticut College, 2-1 in overtime, to reach the second round. The Yellowjackets then knocked off SUNY Oneonta, 2-1, to advance to the Sweet 16.
Serpone is relying on his veterans to set the example for the 11 Amherst freshmen who are playing in their first NCAA tournament.
“It’s going to be really important for those older guys, who have been through it before, to help the first years through it,” Serpone said. “We’re looking forward to a great Sweet 16 game against a really great Rochester team.”