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WILLIAMSTOWN,
MA. – Third-ranked Williams women's soccer (6-0)
closed out their six-game home stand with a definitive 3-0 victory
over #17 Plattsburgh State (6-1), dealing the Cardinals their first
loss of the season.
Plattsburgh State entered today's contest having defeated
their last three opponents by a 14-0 margin, yet Williams contained
the Cardinals offense for its fifth shutout win on the year.
“Our back three has not been tested a
ton,” said Williams' head coach Michelyne
Pinard. “This team is capable of attacking
effectively, and we were able to defend throughout the
field. Our forwards put good pressure on the
ball, our midfielders kept us organized, and our backs dealt with
the speed of their frontrunners really well.”
On the offensive side of the ball, Sara Wild
set the right tone for the Ephs, scoring early at the 10:09
mark. Bret Eisenhart was fouled just outside the 18-yard box,
allowing Wild to take the free kick. Wild laced
a curving ball to the top left corner for the 1-0
lead.
“That first goal was huge,”
commented Pinard.
“This was the first time we have seen a really high pressure
situation, and when we're playing a team that is that good,
the first goal is really important. It settled
us down, and we played more composed. The next
step for us is to play more composed before we score.”
In the 22nd minute of play,
Plattsburgh State nearly knotted the game when Helen Giroux took a
free kick after a foul that nailed the cross
bar. It was the only look at goal for the
visiting team in the opening period. With the advantage the
Ephs seemed to settle into a good rhythm on the field, and began to
increase the offensive pressure in the second
half. Williams had 19 shot attempts in the
latter period, compared to just 8 in the first half.
Annelise Snyder would score the next two goals
for the Ephs. Playing
alongside Sarah Walmsley and Sam Vilboa in the front, Snyder
capitalized on the solid passing and good communication that the
three teammates had on the field this afternoon.
At the 75:28 mark, Vilboa crossed the ball inside to Snyder who
flicked a slow roller to the far post for the 2-0
score.
With 2:30 to play, Snyder snuck another one in
off a fast break up field. Walmsley was able to
get by her defender at midfield, and passed to Vilboa streaking
down center field.
With a flick of the heel, Vilboa passed over the ball and gave the
ball to Snyder who smartly veered to the left of Vilboa and the
defender. Alone
against the goalkeeper, Snyder was able to get off another soft
grounder in a good location to bring the Ephs advantage to
three.
Sachi Siegelman preserved the shut out in the
final minute of play, when Plattsburgh State's Erin Norris
had an open look from beyond the 18-yard box.
Norris ripped the ball to goal, and Siegelman headed out the ball
that certainly would have scored otherwise.
The Ephs starting keeper, Julia Schreiber,
tallied her third win of the season, recording one
save. Lauren Sinnenberg closed out the game and
had two saves. The two Ephs goalkeepers have
been splitting time, and switching starts every other game this
season.
“They both need to be comfortable
starting and finishing,” said Pinard.
“I want to put them in both situations, so that neither of
them gets too comfortable in either role.”
Williams will travel for the first this season
and will face Colby on Saturday at 1:30
p.m.
