AMHERST, Mass. -- For the first time since 2010, the Williams College football team (9-0) is NESCAC champion, holding off a furious comeback by the Amherst Mammoths (5-4) to win 24-19.

 

Though Williams also went undefeated in 2010, this marks the school's first undefeated season since the NESCAC's expansion to a nine-game schedule in 2017.

 

With under a minute to go, the Mammoths faced fourth-and-10 at their own 47-yard line. Quarterback Chad Peterson, who had played outstanding football in the second half, dropped back to pass and threw to Joe Masterson, his favorite receiver on the day, about three yards past the sticks. Masterson, covered by two Williams defenders, attempted to make a sliding catch but couldn't corral the ball before it hit the ground, effectively sealing the game.

 

"They're really well prepared, and they came to win," Williams head coach Mark Raymond said of Amherst's performance. "Fortunately, we had one more play left in us."

 

Williams quarterback Maimaron went 11-of-14 for 257 passing yards (18.4 YPA) and regularly hitting his receivers for chunk plays. Frank Stola tormented the Amherst defense with five receptions for 138 yards (27.6 YPA) and his two huge second-half catches. Justin Burke added three grabs for 66 yards (22.0 YPR) of his own, and Fischetti racked up 120 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown on just 8 touches.

 

Saturday's win today, and Williams' entire 9-0 season, was spearheaded by the senior class – Raymond's first recruiting class as Williams head coach.

 

"They all came back [after the canceled 2020 season] for a game like today," Raymond said. "I'm so proud of them and I can't think of a group that deserves it more than them."

 

Women's Cross Country

HARKNESS PARK, Conn. -- Genna Girard won the regional title and led Williams to a team title at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championship.

 

Girard finished in 21 minutes, 36 seconds to edge Middlebury's Cassie Kearney (21:46)

 

Men's Cross Country

NEW LONDON, Conn. -- The Williams College men's cross country team took home the top three places and the team title at the Division III Mideast Regional Championship race.

 

For the first time in a regional meet, Williams runners claimed the top three individual spots. Aidan Ryan established himself at the front of the field from the gun, and continued his lead through the line, finishing in a time of 24:35. Also breaking from the pack, Elias Lindgren ran to second place in 24:46. Less than ten seconds behind Lindgren, Grahm Tuohy-Gaydos took third in 24:55. William Spollen was the next Williams runner to finish with a time of 25:38, placing 18th overall. Nate Lentz (26:04) was 30th, and Simon Kissam (26:07) was 35th. These six finishers placed within the top 35, earning all-regional honors.

 

Women's Basketball

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. -- Julia Blanck scored 17 points to lead Skidmore to a 46-42 win over Williams.

 

Maddie Mandyck scored 13, and Maggie Meehan added 10 for Williams (0-1), which hosts MCLA on Sunday.