Hanging on for dear life with a one-goal lead in the second round of the NCAA Division I men’s soccer tournament, UMass turned to senior goalie Alex Geczy to make clutch save after clutch save against Penn, the sixth-ranked team in the country.

Each time Geczy was called upon, he answered, making seven saves – each one more important than the last – to help the Minutemen advance to the Sweet 16 with a 1-0 win over the Ivy League champions.

UMass will play at No. 11 Virginia at a date and time to be announced. The Cavaliers edged West Virginia 2-1 in their second round game on Sunday.

“I'm ecstatic,” Geczy said. “Can't really put words into what I'm feeling right now. Anything to help the team win; this back line has bailed me out a few times this year, so it was nice to return the favor.”

Geczy even admitted that he didn’t expect UMass to be playing this deep in the season. But now, as the Minutemen continue to impress with each new challenge, the dream has become a reality – and they’re primed for to continue their Cinderella run.

“Even at the beginning of the season, if you'd say we're playing UPenn in the second round of the tournament, I'd think you're crazy,” Geczy said.

After a scoreless first half, UMass superstar Alec Hughes made a play only Alec Hughes can. He received a header from Kyle Stenzel in the box, took a touch with his chest, and as the ball was on its way down to the turf, he struck it out of mid-air for a perfectly-timed volley that went sizzling by Penn’s goalie – who never had a chance.

The highlight-reel goal came in the 47th minute, as Hughes added another legendary moment to his illustrious UMass career. The entire team joined him in the corner to celebrate what would stand as the game-winning tally. It was Hughes’ 16th goal of the season, good for third in all of Division I men’s soccer.

Penn had five corner kicks on Sunday compared to UMass’ zero, and the Quakers had four in the second half alone. But Geczy and the Minutemen defense stood tall through it all and led UMass to a monumental tournament win.

The Minutemen look to carry on their magic against the Cavaliers.

Amherst 2, Wisconsin-Eau Claire 1 — Just as they did in their NCAA Division III Sweet 16 matchup, the Mammoths raced out to a 2-0 lead in the Elite Eight – this time hanging on in regulation to advance to the Final Four round on Sunday afternoon.

Amherst will face a familiar foe in Middlebury College on Dec. 5 with a spot in the national championship game on the line. The two NESCAC programs tied 1-1 in their only meeting of the season back on Sept. 21 – over two months ago.

Ben Clark-Eden found the back of the net first for the Mammoths, as his 36th-minute goal put Amherst ahead 1-0. Simon Kalinauskas was credited with the assist. Nearly 20 minutes into the second half, Mohammed Nuhu tallied an unassisted goal to give Amherst a two-goal advantage.

Wisconsin-Eau Claire’s Porter Ball quickly responded with a goal three minutes later, but that was all Amherst would surrender as it hung on for the huge win.

Mammoths (14-2-4) keeper Max Landa grabbed one save on two shots. Amherst doubled up Wisconsin-Eau Claire in corners (8-4) and put three more shots on goal.

Women’s soccer

Emory 1, Amherst 0 — An unassisted Madison Teng goal in the 38th minute was the difference during Sunday’s NCAA Division III Elite Eight contest between Emory and Amherst, as the Mammoths were held scoreless in a crushing defeat.

Amherst had nine shots on goal compared to Emory’s four, and managed five more corners (8-3) than Emory but couldn’t translate that into goals. Mammoths goalie Mika Fisher made three saves in the box.

Amherst finished the season 14-2-6 and was one step short of a Final Four berth.

Saturday’s events

Men’s soccer

Amherst 3, University of Wisconsin-Superior 2 (2OT) — The Mammoths may had watched a two-goal lead vanish in a blink, but Michael Cherico played hero in double overtime to erase Wisconsin-Superior’s comeback bid. Cherico’s goal – assisted by Jacob Dinzeo – sent Amherst through to the NCAA Division 3 Elite Eight.

Fynn Hayton-Ruffner got the Mammoths on the board in the first half, scoring an unassisted goal that helped his squad lead 1-0 at the break. Mohammed Nuhu tallied early in the second, with Cherico picking up an assist, to double Amherst’s lead.

Wisconsin-Superior then answered with two goals in the span of 16 minutes to knot things up at two apiece, and the rest of regulation as well as one overtime frame wasn’t enough to decide a winner. Cherico’s game-clincher came in the 109th minute. Amherst had 15 corner kicks to UW-Superior’s three.

Women’s soccer

Amherst 3, Illinois Institute of Technology 0 — A pair of first-half goals were plenty for the Mammoths during Saturday’s NCAA Division III Sweet 16 match with IIT, but Fiona Bernet added one more tally via penalty kick for good measure as Amherst cruised into the Elite Eight.

Abby Schwartz broke the scoreless tie in the 34th minute, taking a pass from Precious Novidzro and finding the back of the net to seize early momentum for the Mammoths. Not even seven minutes later, Amherst was celebrating again thanks to Jessica Lomo’s goal. Novidzro was credited with her second assist on the night to help the Mammoths double their lead before halftime.

The second half was all about weathering the IIT storm, which Amherst did to perfection while keeping up its offensive pressure. And in the 87th minute, the Mammoths put the cherry on top when they were awarded a penalty kick following a Hawks penalty in the box. Bernet buried the kick and Amherst put the nail in the coffin.

Amherst out-shot IIT 12-5 and earned six corners to the Hawks’ one.