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WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. –
After a brief 13 minutes of silence on the offensive end, sophomore
Bret Eisenhart scored the first goal of the 2009-2010 season on
Cole Field for the Williams women's soccer team (1-0, 1-0 in
the NESCAC).
Eisenhart held possession in front of the net before crashing into
the Wesleyan keeper, Clare Colton. Colton
proceeded to fall after the tangle, while Eisenhart fought hard to
recover the ball and quickly served it into the top right corner
for a 1-0 lead.
Eisenhart's tenacity and resilience
quickly reminded fans and foes alike of the type of soccer Williams
brings to the table.
The goal sparked a dominating 5-0 victory over the visiting
conference opponent Wesleyan (0-1, 0-1), certainly a mere preview
of the powerhouse performances the two-time defending NESCAC
champions will muster on the pitch this
season.
“In the first game, you don't know
what to expect,” commented Williams' head coach
Michelyne Pinard.
“I want them to be resilient, and to work things out when
they are not going as planned, but we cannot be expected to play
out best soccer in the first game. There are
definitely things to improve on.”
An undeniable asset of the Ephs squad is their
incredible depth.
From first-years to seniors, all twenty-four players can contribute
on the field as today's offensive production
proved. Junior Kara Duggan, the quarterback of
the defense, scored the Ephs's second goal off the lone
corner kick of the contest. Annelise Snyder
placed the corner perfectly, and Duggan ripped a header to the
bottom right corner.
Freshman Samantha Vilboa scored her first collegiate goal to round
out the three-goal first half nearing the close of the
period. Fellow first-year Chloe Kuh assisted on
the goal.
Williams continued to attack in the second
period. Sachi
Siegelman scored in impressive fashion at the 62:38
mark. Siegelman, returning after missing half of
last season with an injury and at a new position, defensive back,
ripped a powerful shot from well beyond the 18-yard box that landed
just under the crossbar and well out of reach of a leaping Wesleyan
goalie. First-year Bridget Gallagher topped off
the five-goal margin at the 75:21 mark. Caitlyn
Clark attempted to score from the right wing, but the Cardinals'
keeper deflected the shot and Gallagher collected the deflection
for the goal.
Williams out shot Wesleyan, 24-6, allowing
only three shots per half. Wesleyan's best
opportunity at a goal came in the second period when
Williams' goalie Julia Schreiber fell while coming out to
defend, leaving an open net. Duggan smartly
retreated back to goal and headed out a shot by a Cardinals
forward.
With two goals and two assists coming off the
feet of first-year players, the season looks bright for a team that
headed to the Final Four last season.
“It's their [the freshman's]
first game, in their first year, and that can be very
overwhelming,” continued Pinard.
“But they fit in incredibly well, and are working very hard
to figure out our system.”
The Ephs will host non-conference opponent
Eastern Connecticut State tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. and the game
can be seen on the Internet by clicking
here.
