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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – The Williams men's
soccer team scored three second-half goals to earn their second
straight conference win 3-0 Saturday, over visiting Colby. The win
ends a busy weekend for the Ephs, who went 2-0 and out scored their
opponents 6-1.
The Ephs came out energetic and intense, forcing the game into the
Mules half of the field. Impassioned senior forward Mike Darling
led the offense early, with his relentless pursuit and creative
play; however, the Ephs were unable to capitalize despite several
golden opportunities and dominating possession.
Colby (3-4-1) battled back in the last several minutes of the
half, forcing the Williams players out of their territory and onto
the defensive, as they put together a late surge that nearly netted
them a goal.
The Mules carried their late momentum into the second half where
they established possession and territorial control early. They had
the Ephs on their heels and seemed poised to go up one, when in an
instant it all changed.
In what would become the story of the second-half, the Ephs
defense intercepted an errant Colby pass and turned it into a
series of lightening fast one-touches culminating in senior backer
Nathan Elwood's through ball to classmate Kit Fuderich who
side-stepped the keeper and escorted it into the net at the 50:56
mark. The goal sparked the Ephs, and shifted the momentum back into
their favor.
The renewed Eph intensity, forced the Mules to surrender a corner,
which junior midfielder Dan Curbelo-Zeidman promptly arched
perfectly into the box, where it found the foot of sophomore
midfielder Conor Smith who ricocheted it off a Colby defender and
into the net - only seven minutes later.
Williams struck again sixteen minute later when the Ephs put
together another pinball-like passing attack to advance the ball to
streaking junior forward, Peter Gordon, who launched a textbook
line-drive cross which classmate Jay Ingram was able to convert.
The final goal deflated the Mules, and both teams retired the
majority of their starters with over ten minutes remaining.
"Im very please with our combination play – Gordon's cross
was how we want to hit crosses." Remarked Eph Coach Mike Russo,
"Hopefully, we can sustain this and take it into next week."
The win propels Williams into sole possession of second place in
the NESCAC standings (7-2-1)(6-1), behind only Amherst
(9-0)(6-0).
The Ephs play the final leg in their three home-game stint
Wednesday, at 3:30, against Springfield.
