Springfield, Mass. – September 30, 2009 – James Mooney tallied three goals in the game to pace the visiting Amherst Lord Jeffs past the Springfield College men’s soccer team, 3-0, in a non-conferece matchup on a cold and windy Wednesday evening at the Irv Schmid Complex.

The loss drops Springfield to 3-5-1 on the season. Amherst, which until this week was ranked second in the country, improves to 4-1.

Amherst controlled much of the play in the first half and scored the lone goal of the stanza with just over 21 minutes remaining. A Springfield foul gave the Lord Jeffs a free kick just inside the center line, which Reid Wilson sent a long, high ball into the box. Ian Rothkopf rose above the SC defense and then flicked the ball to his right to a wide open Mooney. Mooney gathered the ball and slotted a shot into the left corner of the goal from seven yards out to give the visitors a 1-0 advantage.

Mooney netted his second goal of the game in the 73rd minute. Robert Gooden slipped behind the Pride’s defense and sent a cross along the goal mouth. Mooney ran onto to the ball and just barely lofted it over Springfield goalie Chris Walton’s outstreched arms for the visitors second tally.

Seven minutes later, Mooney completed his hat trick and he broke free from the Springfield defense and poked home a breakaway goal from 15 yards out.

Lennard Kovacs recorded the shutout win for Amherst as he did not make a save in the contest. Walton finished with eight saves between the pipes.

For the game, Amherst enjoyed a 14-2 advantage in shots and a 6-1 edge in corner kicks.

The Pride will next play on Saturday afternoon in a conference matchup at Clark. Kick off is scheduled for 12:00 pm.