DUBUQUE, Iowa (naccsports.org) --- Illinois Institute of Technology's magical 2024 women's soccer season drew to a close Saturday evening with a 3-0 loss to Amherst College in the sectional semifinal round of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship at the Rock Bowl on the campus of Loras College.

The Scarlet Hawks (19-3-3) saw their high-powered offense neutralized by a stingy Mammoths side. Amherst (14-1-6) racked up four shots and three corner kicks in the game's first 20 minutes, while Illinois Tech's first shot didn't come until the 22:32 mark when Liliana Schuth sent an attempt high.

The Mammoths countered with three more shots and a pair of corner kicks before finally converting in the 34th minute as Abby Schwartz registered her eighth tally of the season off an assist from Precious Novidzro. Amherst added a second goal in the 41st minute as Novidzro assisted on a goal by Jessica Lomo.

Despite Illinois Tech pressure through much of the second half, the score held until the 87th minute when the Scarlet Hawks commited a foul inside the 18-yard box. Fiona Bernet converted the ensuing penalty kick to extend the Mammoths' lead to 3-0. Each side added one more shot as the game's final minutes ticked away.

Amherst finished with 12 shots to Illinois Tech's five, holding a 9-2 advantage in the first half alone. The Mammoths also held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Amherst's Alyssa Huynh led all players with five shots, while Sophia Haynes had two. Schuth, Kayla Smith, Caitie Chismarich, Mary Frampton, and Kaitlyn Walsh had one shot apiece for Illinois Tech.

Mika Fisher picked up the clean sheet for the Mammoths, while Sarah Thomas took the loss for Illinois Tech. Both were credited with two saves.

Amherst advances to Sunday's sectional final against Emory.

Illinois Tech's advancement to the sectional round matches Aurora University's 2014 run as the farthest a NACC women's soccer program has progressed in the NCAA Championship.