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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass - The Williams College men's
soccer team unloaded for three scores in the first 18 minutes
against visiting conference foe Bates en route to a 4-0 victory
Saturday.
The win marks the second straight game that the NSCAA New
England #1 ranked Ephs recorded four scores and a shutout and
extends their win streak to eight games as they improve to 8-0-1
(4-0-1 NESCAC). With the loss Bates falls to 2-5-2 (0-4-1 NESCAC).
"It was just another good all around team performance," remarked
Eph head coach Mike Russo, "We were able to control the game early
and that allowed us utilize the bench again. We had some tough
moments but for the most part we played pretty well."
The Williams offense was led by Charles Romero's two scores and
Gaston Kelly's goal and assist, while goalkeeper Andrew Graham
notched one save in a leisurely effort.
The Ephs used an efficient passing attack to put the Bobcats on
their heels early. Whether it was long balls, through balls, or
just lightening one touch passing the result was the same in the
first half as Williams appeared to be creating opportunities at
will.
Charles Romero tallied the game's first goal in the
13th minute. After a Williams's corner kick was turned
aside, Romero gathered the ball and shook off the Bates defense
with a step over feint before turning on a heel and drilling a low
line drive winner from 15 yards into the far corner of the net. The
goal marked the third consecutive game that Romero has scored and
his pair of tallies on the day gives him a team leading seven goals
on the season.
Just one minute later, Romero would have a major hand in setting
up the next Eph score. This time after he advanced the ball deeper
into the Bates end before a hard tackle by a Bobcat defender
knocked the ball aside in the Box. However, Pierre Meloty-Kapella
was in the right place at the right time and promptly ran onto the
loose ball before punching it past Bates Keeper Greg Watts (5
saves) to give the Ephs the 2-0 lead.
Gaston Kelly would puncuate the scoring burst in the
18th minute. After taking a through ball from the
midfield into the box and having his cross attempt blocked back
into his feet, Kelly found himself trapped between a pair of Bates
defenders and the end-line. However, a quick move to create space
earned him just enough of an angle and he fired an improbable high
line drive that connected with the far inside wall of the net.
The Ephs would continue to pressure Bates and force play into
the visitors end for the remainder of the half and took the 3-0
lead into the intermission.
Bates would mount some pressure in the second half as play
balanced out. However, whenever the Bobcat offense appeared to open
a gash in the Williams defense the Ephs were quick to clamp it down
and smother the opportunity.
Romero would add another score in the 59th minute to
finalize the score at 4-0.
Williams outshot Bates 22 to 10 and earned five corners to the
Bobcats four.
The Ephs will gear up to do it all again tomorrow, Sunday
October 11th, when they take on NESCAC opponent Trinity.
That game should prove to be significantly more difficult as the
Bantams enter the contest boasting an impressive 7-0-1 (3-1-1
NESCAC) record. That game is scheduled for a 2:00 PM kickoff.
