AMHERST, Mass. -- Westfield State's Nicole Rinkus scored three goals to lead the Owls, but it wasn't enough as Westfield State fell to  19th-ranked Amherst College, 17-7 in a non-conference game on Saturday afternoon.    

Westfield was playing it's second nationally-ranked opponent in the last two weeks, and it's third straight game against an opponent from the well-regarded NESCAC.

The Owls held their own early, trailing just 6-4 at the end of the first quarter after getting back-to-back goals from Cassidy Harvey and Kiely Hafensteiner to close the period.

From there, the Mammoths took over with Lauren Friedman scoring three straight goals to open teh second quarter, and Amherst netted seven of the next eight goals in the match to take a 13-5 lead before Rinkus netted her second of the day to close the scoring in the third period.

Kara Banagan and Sydney Smith split the game in goal for Westfield, each making six saves.

Amherst was led five goals from Friedman and three goals and two assists from Becky Kendall.  Caroline Fisher made eight saves for the Mammoths.

Westfield will next host Springfield College in a non conference game on Wednesday evening.