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MIDDLEBURY, Vermont - The Williams College men's soccer team
fell behind in the first half and couldn't comeback in their season
finale against Middlebury, falling 1-0 in a even contest Friday.
The Ephs finish the regular season with an 11-2-1 (6-2-1 NESCAC)
record, while the Panthers finalize at 8-4-2 (4-3-2 NESCAC).
With the loss the Ephs earn the #2 seed in the NESCAC
tournament. They will host #7 seed Connecticut College in the first
round. That game is scheduled for a 12:30 PM kick off this Sunday,
November 1st.
The Ephs and Panthers played a largely stalemated game with the
two teams mirroring each other in shots (Williams: 8, Middlebury:
8), saves (Williams: 4, Middlebury: 5), and fouls (Williams: 8,
Middlebury: 10). Ironically, despite the fact that Williams held a
substantial advantage in corner kicks (Williams: 6, Middlebury: 3),
it was the Panthers who converted on a free kick.
The games lone goal came in the 17th minute when Middlebury's
Jake Edwards took the free kick from just outside the Eph
box on the corner of the 18. His left-footed hooking blast
was redirected by the head of Harrison Watkins who sent it past
Williams goalkeeper Andrew Graham to give the Panthers the 1-0
lead.
Williams had a great chance to tied the game in the 34th minute,
but Panther keeper Tim Cahill made a nice save on Nick Pugliese
from close range. The game remained at 1-0 into the second half,
where the Ephs had another opportunity, this one coming in the 74th
minute. Pierre Meloty-Kapella gained some space a let a blast go
from inside the box, but Cahill was there to make the save.
Williams had one last chance in the final minute with a scramble
in the Panther box, but Cahill was finally able to put his hands on
the ball to end the threat.
"We had our chances but to no avail." Remarked Eph coach Mike
Russo, "To their credit they had an excellently executed free kick
goal. We will just have to put it behind us as we enter the
post-season."
The Ephs have previously defeated Connecticut College 4-0 at
Cole Field in the third week of the season. Conn College enters the
NESCAC tournament having lost their last two contests and boast a
8-5-1 (5-4 NESCAC) record.
Plans are under way to provide a live video webcast of the game
on Sunday between Williams and Connecticut College -- click
here to access the game.
NESCAC Men's Soccer Final Standings (Record/Win
Percentage)
Wesleyan (6-0-3/.833)
Williams (6-2-1/.722) *
Amherst (6-2-1/.722) *
Bowdoin (5-3-1/.611) ^
Trinity (5-3-1/.611) ^
Middlebury (4-3-2/.556) #
Connecticut College (5-4-0/.556) #
Colby (2-6-1/.278)
Bates (0-8-1/.056)
Tufts (0-8-1/.056)
TIEBREAKERS
* Williams and Amherst both finished with identical conference win
percentages of .722. In head-to-head competition, Williams
defeated Amherst to earn the No. 2 seed.
^ Bowdoin and Trinity both finished with identical conference win
percentages of .611. In head-to-head competition, Bowdoin
defeated Trinity to earn the No. 4 seed.
# Middlebury and Connecticut College both finished with identical
win percentages of .556. In head-to-head competition,
Middlebury defeated Connecticut College to earn the No. 6 seed.
2009 MEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Sunday, November 1 at Higher Seeds
Quarterfinal Games
No. 8 Colby at No. 1 Wesleyan – 12:30 pm
No. 7 Connecticut College at No. 2 Williams – 12:30 pm
No. 6 Middlebury at No. 3 Amherst – 12:30 pm
No. 5 Trinity at No. 4 Bowdoin – 12:30 pm
Saturday, November 7 at Highest Remaining
Seed
Semifinals – games at 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Highest remaining seed vs. lowest remaining seed
Remaining first round winners
Sunday, November 8
Final - 12:00 noon
Semifinal winners
