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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass - In their season opener the Williams College
men's soccer team battled the Wesleyan Cardinals through two
over-times before settling for a 1-1 draw Saturday.
The stalemate was full of bright spots for the Ephs (0-0-1) who,
despite surrendering a one goal lead in the second half and playing
a man down for nearly 45 minutes, were able to deny a Wesleyan
(0-0-1) team that returned seven starters from their 2008
campaign.
"I was very proud of how the kids battled today." Remarked Eph
head coach Mike Russo, "To be able to play that long short-handed
and still come out with the result we did really says a lot about
this team. They showed character and will, and really handled the
adversity really well."
The Ephs produced 21 shots to the Cardinals 14, despite earning
just two corner kicks to the Cardinals 9. Gaston Kelly recorded the
Ephs lone goal early in the second half.
Wesleyan produced the games first real chance when Nick Whipple
corralled a loose corner kick and rocketed it towards the net in
the 10th minute. Fortunately for the Ephs, goal keeper Andrew
Lyons-Berg had just enough arm to punch the shot aside and ensure
Williams would avoid the early deficit.
However, it was the Ephs and their quick one-touch passing game
who controlled the bulk of the first half.
Pierre Meloty-Kapella nearly put the Ephs on top late in the
period when, after sidestepping a pair of defenders at the top of
the box, sent a line to towards the net but Cardinal Keeper Adam
Purdy (5 saves) made the play and sent the two teams into the half
knotted at 0-0.
The Ephs carried their momentum into the seciond half and took the
lead just five minutes in when Ben Mackinnon fed a perfect pass to
the head of a streaking Gaston Kelly who redirected the ball past
Pudy and into the net. The goal was well deserved for Kelly, whose
tenacious efforts produced seven of the Ephs twenty one total
shots.
Williams kept the pressure ratcheted up and dominated possession
until the midpoint of the second half when an ill advised slide
tackle left the Ephs short-handed with twenty five minutes to
play.
Wesleyan took advantage of their new found opportunities, and tied
the game in the 74th minute off of an excellent corner kick set
piece that ended with Jacob Mergendoller pushing it in from point
blank range.
The two teams each produced chances in the waning moments but
neither team could put it away in regulation.
Kelly nearly finished it just three minutes into the first
overtime, but his chip shot runner over the Cardinal keeper missed
just wide and the Ephs settled for the draw.
Williams will look to earn their first victory of the season on
September 15th when they host New Paltz State. That game is
scheduled for a 4:15 kickoff. The New Paltz State contest will be
aired as a video webcast and can be seen by clicking on the
TEAMLINE logo at the bottom of the front page of the Williams
Athletics site.
