WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Williams College men's soccer team
defeated non-conference opponent Wheaton College 4-1 Sunday
afternoon.
The victory maintains the Ephs (5-0-1, 2-0-1 NESCAC) undefeated
season, and improves their non-conference record to 3-0-0.
The Ephs got on the board first in the 14th minute
when Charles
Romero received a pass from Colin Ainsworth
at the top of the box, turned with one touch, and blasted a high
ball into the top of the right post.
The Lyons (5-2-2, 0-1-0 NEWMAC), however, countered in the
25th minute with a goal by David Turina. Turina drilled
a low ball of a free kick from 30 yards out into the right post
past the outstretched hands of keeper Peter
Morrell. It was one the few mistakes Morrell had all game.
The Ephs took a 2-1 lead into half time when they scored in the
44th minute of the first half. Nick
Pugliese rocketed a shot from 40 yards out which sailed over
the hands of keeper Chris Smart. Smart, who allowed 4 goals on the
day, had 2 saves in 90 minutes of play for the Lyons.
Williams scored again in the second half in the 53rd
minute. Charles Romero took the ball down the left side of the
field and sent a low cross into the box, which connected with Gaston Kelly
who finished the play with a one touch shot.
The Lyons battled back throughout the second half, with plenty
of opportunities including a break away in the 65th
minute. However, Peter Morrell proved up to the task. Morrell came
out of the box and deflected the ball in a risky, yet perfectly
timed, play for the Ephs. Morrell recorded 7 saves on the day in 90
minutes of play, the most spectacular of which came in the first
half when Morrell dove to save a very good goal scoring opportunity
for the Lyons.
The Ephs scored their final goal of the day in the final minute
of play. Down 3-1, the Lyons brought everyone up in attempt to
score, including keeper Chris Smart. Gordon Atkins was
able to sneak a ball past Smart at midfield that was chased down by
defender Matt
Ratajczak who scored on an open net.
Overall the game was marked by physical play. The Ephs had 24
fouls on the day compared to the Lyons 13. There were also 7 yellow
cards on the day and one red card. The Ephs played down a man for
the final 24 minutes of the game when back Andrew Trainor received
his second yellow on the day. The Ephs were outshot for the first
time all season as the Lyons recorded 16 shots to the Ephs 13.
Head coach Mike Russo was very pleased with the result of the
game. "We had great energy and played very well against a very good
opponent," remarked Russo, "Peter had a good game. He played with a
lot of confidence and distributed the ball very well."
The Ephs will return to competition next on Saturday against
NESCAC and Little Three rival Amherst College at noon on Cole
Field.
