Box Score Box Score
WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. Spirits were high Saturday morning at Renzie-Lamb Field as the Williams College Field Hockey team honored their senior members in the last home competition of their college careers. Senior Eph co-captain Meera Sivalingam (Philadelphia, Penn.) clinched the first goal for the Ephs while junior Emily Jablonski (Madison, Conn.) contributed to the 3-0 shutout with two consecutive goals in the second frame to lift the Ephs past NESCAC competitor, Colby College, and to a 7-6, 4-5 NESCAC record while dropping the Mules to 4-9, 1-8 in NESCAC this season.
Excitement surrounding Williams' senior day translated to raw energy on the field as the Ephs posted 10 penalty corners and 13 shots in the first half holding the Mules to 2 and 3, respectively. Fifteen minutes into the competition, the Ephs received three successive penalty corners culminating in a sequence of 4 shot attempts, but Colby goalkeeper Michelle Burt (Woodbridge, Conn.) thwarted Williams' offensive efforts acquiring seven saves for the frame. The score remained 0-0 as the game entered into the second period.
Six minutes in, the Ephs scored two consecutive goals within 5 seconds of eachother giving Williams a quick lead. Utilizing a penalty corner, Sivalingam found the back of the net at 41:14 off a pass from Jablonski receiving the insertion from first-year teammate Cary Hairfield (Richmond, VA). At 41:19 first-year Eph Caitlin Conlon (Sudbury, Mass.) connected with Jablonski who finished in traffic extending the disparity, 2-0. Jablonski grabbed another goal with 13 minutes remaining in the half off an assist by senior Katie Ellis (Darien, Conn.) for the final 3-0 advantage. Colby and Williams finished with a 6 shot draw for the half, while the Mules retained a 6-2 penalty corner edge.
For Williams, sophomore goalkeeper Ariana Spiliotes (Bethesda, MD) remained largely unchallenged in goal tallying 2 saves and no goals allowed during 70 minutes of play while Burt acquired 8 saves and allowed 3 goals.
Among a number of key contributors, each of Williams four seniors; Sivalingam, Margie Fulton (Wellesley, Mass.), Ellis, and Helena Nannes (Bethesda, MD.); had a part to play in today's victory.
"In the first half we were in control, but weren't finishing, though from the outset of the second our offensive line and midfielders created more opportunities and capitalized on shot opportunities. It was a true team effort," commented head coach Alix Burrale after the victory.
The Ephs will play again next Wednesday at Middlebury at 6:30pm.
