MIDDLETOWN, CT. -  In a stunning comeback performance at Smith Field, #2 Wesleyan men's soccer earned their keep to advance in the NESCAC Championship for the first time since 2015 in a 3-2 quarterfinal victory over #7 Amherst College on Saturday afternoon, as Aiden Londergan '27 lifted Wesleyan in the final seconds of regulation to avoid overtime.

It's been 10 years since the Cardinals have advanced to the NESCAC semifinal round. That Oct. 31, 2015, quarterfinal victory was a 1-0 shutout over the Mammoths. The two programs would go on to regroup in the quarterfinals another three times, all ending in losses for the Cardinals. This time, it fell in their favor, ousting the reigning NCAA National Champions.

It was the usual suspects on the scoring front that propelled the Cardinals to a last-ditch buzzer-beater. Londergan leads the Cardinals as the scoring leader, but right behind him are Yousuf Saeed '27 and Joshwin Jennings '27. Saeed broke open the score.

The Mammoths were hot from the opening kickoff, pressing the Cardinals low into their own zone, but with 18 minutes on the clock, Saeed struck to give the Cardinals the lead. Unable to properly clear the ball with Josh LaCorte '26 just over the midfield line, the Mammoths lost possession to Dylan Clack '27 as he sent the ball down into the far corner for Ford Cash '29. Cash found Saeed coming down the middle, Saeed tucking the ball of his left foot and over the line.

Now holding the high ground, the Cardinals staved off the Mammoths for another 25 minutes. With two minutes remaining in the half, the Mammoths tied the match up at one to force the second half to a dogfight. Vincent Akambo scored two in a row, with his second falling into the second half.

Down 2-1 with 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Jennings fired from the top of the box and cleared Mammoths' goalkeeper Trey Sheppard to tie the game up at two. Quick passing high in the Mammoths zone found the ball at the feet of John SennMcNally '28, SennMcNally sent the ball careening to Jennings stationed at the arc.

The game looked as if it would head to overtime as the clock ran down, but with 15 seconds remaining, it was Londergan that was in the right spot at the right time. Jennings took an initial shot off the throw in, but the ball was blocked by a group of defenders in front of Sheppard. The rebounded ball fell to Londergan for the left foot shot into the left corner.

The Cardinals outshot the Mammoths 17-9 overall and 10-6 on goal, Jennings led with three shots on goal. Akambo led all Mammoths on the attack.

In goal, Mathis Blanc '26 earned the victory with four saves in goal. Sheppard finished with seven saves.

The Cardinals will face #5 Conn. College on Saturday, Nov. 8, in the NESCAC semifinal, hosted by #1 Tufts in Medford, Mass., at 1p.m.