NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Williams College men's soccer team
overcame a two-goal halftime deficit with three consecutive second
half scores to beat Connecticut College 3-2 Saturday. The win
improves the Ephs to 4-1 (3-0 NESCAC) on the season, while the
Camels fall to 2-3.
"We had a nightmare first half," remarked Williams head coach
Mike Russo, "But we were able to improve our play and tighten
things in the second. It's always great to pull out the come from
behind victory."
Connecticut College outshot the Ephs 12 to 9 in the first half
en route to building a two score advantage, however Williams
clamped down defensively in the second, limiting the Camels to only
a single second half shot while producing three scores off of 8
shots.
The Eph offense was led by Sam Empson, Peter Gordon, and Joe
Vella who each recorded a score.
The Ephs first goal came just ten minutes into the second half,
when a streaking Charlie Romero was dragged down by a Camel
defender in the box and drew the foul. The ensuing penalty kick was
promptly coverted by Empson to cut Connecticut College's lead
in half.
The Ephs didn't stop there though, as Pierre Meloty-Kapella
would beat the Camel defense in the 69th minute on
assists from Joe Vella and Nick Pugliese to even the score at 2-2.
However, the game's most dramatic moment came in its final
minutes, when Empson's indirect kick was flicked on by Peter Gordon
and narrowly blocked by the Camel Keeper, only to have an
opportunistic Joe Vella scoop up the deflection and punch it in
with less than three minutes remaining in the game.
The Ephs game against Colby slated for tomorrow has been moved
to October 19.
The Ephs' next scheduled match is September 30th when they
travel to play at Keene State.
