WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. — Back to back
goals midway through the second half was enough to edge out Keene
State (4-1)Tuesday night at Renzie-Lamb Field and clinch
Williams' (1-1, 0-1 NESCAC) first win on the season.
With key goals and an assist made by junior Eph Meera Sivalingam (Philadelphia, Penn.) and an overall cohesive effort by
the Williams' forward line, the Ephs will carry momentum over
into Saturday's conference game against Connecticut
College.
From the first whistle the first period was a battle for
possession as each team struggled to gain offensive
control. 17:32 into the first frame junior Karyn Moss
(Medfield, MA) dished to Sivalingam in the circle for the first
goal of the night.
Less than two minutes later at 19:09 Niki Smith of Keene State
answered off an assist by teammate Chelsea Blackmer to bring the
score to a 1-1 draw. 2:50 before the half-time buzzer Owl
forward Elizabeth Coffin made good on a penalty shot to give Keene
State the 2-1 advantage going into the second. The Owls led
the half with a 6-4 shot advantage and a 3-1 penalty corner
edge.
Junior Eph Margie Fulton (Wellesley, Mass.) opened the second
period with a fastbreak that was derailed in the circle and
appropriated by Aislynn Sherry. Williams goalie Katrina Tulla
(New Canaan, Conn.) acquired two key saves as Sherry shot and
followed up on the rebound for a second attempt.
At 50:32 Sivalingam located a loose ball in traffic and found
the back of the net to bring the game to a tie at 2-2. Just
over a minute later at 51:34 Williams shot the game-winning goal as
Sivalingam connected with sophomore Nicolle Perry (Yorktown, NY)
who finished the play improving the score to 3-2 in the Ephs
favor. Williams' 8 shots to the Owls 3, and a 4-1
penalty corner lead reflected the Ephs turn around as they gained
momentum in the second and put together a cohesive team effort to
clinch the victory.
Keene State goalie Meghan Ledoux had 5 saves and three goals
allowed while Tulla tallied 3 saves and allowed 2 goals. Both
spent the full 70 minutes in the net.
Coach Alix Barrale commented on the match, "The second
half of this game was really indicative of what we are capable of
as a team. Keene St. has good stick skills and speed, but we
were really communicating and things were working for us
tonight."
The Ephs will play again this Saturday in their second NESCAC
competition of the year at Conn. College at 1PM.
