WILLIAMSTOWN, MA- In a fiercely contested match, the Williams field hockey team (6-6, 3-5 NESCAC) secured a 2-1 victory over Hamilton College (5-7, 3-6 NESCAC), with sophomore Betsy Hart (New Canaan, CT) and senior co-captain Margie Fulton (Wellesley, MA) each netting a goal.
Despite a thirty-minute delay due to lightning, the Ephs kept play securely in the Continentals' side as the game opened. Hart scored 10:38 into the game with a powerful shot off a penalty corner, assisted by first-years Caitlin Conlon (Sudbury, MA) and Cary Hairfield (Richmond, VA). Williams managed five shots on goal (all penalty corners) to Hamilton's two in the first half, but the Continentals were not without their bright spots. Hamilton goalie Victoria Trentini made an impressive diving save against sophomore Emily Jablonski's (Madison, CT) streaking corner shot, and Hamilton tied the score up at 24:21 via sophomore Nikki Haskins' successful bid for goal off of the Continentals' single penalty corner of the half.
After a brief halftime, the mood was tense as Hamilton and Williams again took the field. Williams soon took control of the ball with help from Jablonski's solid midfield skills, making a total of fourteen shots to Hamilton's one-- a blocked shot by Haskins off a penalty corner-- in the second half. The Ephs managed nine penalty corners. Margie Fulton scored at 46:15 to bring the Ephs into the lead, assisted by her fellow co-captain Meera Sivalingham (Philadelphia, PA) and Conlon.
Despite Williams' strong offensive onslaught, Hamilton goalie Trentini made nine saves total in the game. Williams goalie Ariana Spiliotes (Bethesda, MD) had a slightly lighter night in the net, saving one shot. Both goalies played all seventy minutes.
"Today's game was really hard fought," said Eph head coach Alix Barrale. "Sarah Eades definitely stood out on defense -- she was everywhere I needed her to be. Emily Jablonski was indispensable in controlling the midfield, and Caitlin Conlon and Margie Fulton both shone on offense. We're working very hard, and I'm very proud of the team,"
The Ephs next see action this Saturday with Colby, playing a home game against the Mules at 11 am.
