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WILLIAMSTOWN, MA- Williams women's soccer capped off an
extraordinary regular season this afternoon on Cole Field by
defeating archrival Amherst 2-1, capturing the Little Three title,
and finishing the season with an undefeated record. The Ephs finish
atop the NESCAC standings with a 9-0 record, while Amherst finishes
the season with an overall record of 5-5-4 and a conference record
of 5-2-2.
In 2001 the women's soccer program tallied a 13-0 regular
season record, but this 2007 squad has made program history by
recording 14 wins and no losses. “It's almost
unbelievable in our league- and with the competitive nature of
women's soccer- to go undefeated, “ said Williams' head
coach Michelyne Pinard. “It's such a testament to
our team's hard work in the off season and all the hard work
they've put in during the season.”
Seniors Ana Sani, Kaolin McEvoy, Alexa Herlach, and Jessie Freeman
played their final regular season match up today and Pinard could
not be more pleased with their efforts. Pinard commented,
“I have almost no words for my seniors. I am so proud
of them. They have worked so hard for four years and to see
it all come together for them is phenomenal.”
It was junior Clare Gallagher who proved to be the driving
offensive force against the Lord Jeffs. Both teams struggled
throughout the game to keep possession and maintain control due to
the rainy and wet conditions on the field. Amherst got on the
scoreboard first due to the tenacious play of Natalie
Ferraiolo. Just under twenty minutes into play, Ferraiolo
managed to keep possession of the ball after three attempts by
Williams defenders to stop her surge upfield. After dodging
the third defender Ferraiolo ripped a perfectly placed ball from
outside the penalty box that sailed just under the crossbar.
Eph goalkeeper Lauren Sinnenberg attempted to reach the ball but
fell short.
Playing behind for only the second time this season Williams
picked up the intensity and began to create more opportunities to
score. Midway into the first period, the Ephs rattled off
shot after shot on goal, but could not find the net. Finally
at the 32:52 mark, freshman Sara Wild crossed the ball into a crowd
of players in the goal box. Amidst a scuffle for the ball,
sophomore Sarah Walmsley was able to find a piece of the ball with
her head and direct it past the keeper into the bottom left corner
of the net to tie the game at one apiece.
Just four minutes later the Ephs would grab the lead off a goal by
Gallagher. After receiving a pass from Annalise Snyder,
Gallagher dribbled left to avoid an Amherst defender and quickly
nailed the ball into the upper left corner from outside the penalty
box. The goal was very similar to Amherst's first goal
in that the ball landed just short of the crossbar and the reach of
the goalkeeper. Neither team scored in the second half, as
Williams allowed Amherst only two shots. The Ephs outshot
their opponent 24-7 overall.
In fourteen games Williams has allowed only three goals,
outscoring their opponents 40-3. Ephs goalkeeper Lauren
Sinnenberg has allowed only two goals in fourteen games and 1136
minutes of play, recording 41 saves and eleven shutout wins.
Williams is the number one seed in the NESCAC tournament, and
recieved a first round bye. The Ephs resume play in the
second round on Saturday November 2 at 11:00 am against the lowest
remaining seed when they host the remainder of the tournament.
