MIDDLEBURY, VT—The Ephs ended their season on a tough note today, dropping a 6-2 decision to #5 Middlebury in the NESCAC Quarterfinals. Five Williams seniors played in their last collegiate game, contributing a fine final effort this afternoon. Sophomore Nicolle Perry tallied both of the Ephs' goals, both off assists from classmate Sam Weinstein, to keep the contest close through three periods.
Just 1:40 had gone by before Middlebury's Madeline Joyce put the home team on the board first. Maggie Woodward carried the puck behind the net, then found Joyce in the slot, who was able to fire the one-timer past Williams freshman goalie Rachel Nguyen. The Panthers took a 2-0 lead 5 minutes later, capitalizing on Williams' first penalty of the game. Jennifer Krakower notched her 3rd goal of the season on a wrist shot from Sara Ugalde.
The Ephs were able to capitalize on a powerplay of their own with 5:44 remaining in the opening frame. Weinstein made a slick pass to Perry, who carried the puck into the slot. Perry beat Midd netminder Alexi Bloom on a backhanded shot through traffic, concluding the first period scoring at 2-1.
Middlebury would record the game-winner 4:24 into the middle frame, again taking advantage of a Williams penalty. Anna McNally sent a pass to Heather Marrison, who ripped a shot from the blue line. While Nguyen was able to make the initial save, Grace Waters was there to put home the rebound for what would prove to be the deciding goal.
Determined to keep the game close, Perry would notch her second score of the game on a penalty kill late in the 2nd period. After Weinstein centered a hard pass across the slot, Perry was able to redirect the puck to make the game 3-2 with 2:04 remaining the period.
Three penalties in the final frame, however, would doom the Ephs. On the Panthers' only even-strength goal of the period, Ugalde rocketed a one-timer past Nguyen for the 4-2 lead, her 11th score of the season. With 12:13 to play, Middlebury opened up the game. Madison Styrbicki notched a powerplay goal, her 4th of the year, off an assist from Lauren Greer. Greer then capped off the game's scoring with 4:25 remaining, burying a rebound off a Styrbicki shot.
Middlebury now stands at 19-4-1 and will host next weekend's NESCAC semifinals and finals. The Ephs conclude their season at 4-17-1, having dropped several close games throughout the year. In her last game as a freshman, Nguyen recorded 26 saves between the pipes for Williams, finishing up with 472 stops on the year and posting a .889 save percentage.
"The score doesn't indicate the level of play we had here tonight," Williams coach Joey Lye remarked tonight, "I'm really proud of how the girls came together to give a great effort."
Seniors Jacqueline Berglass, Stephanie Berger, Mimi McClatchey, Allie Page, and Lauren Zurek combined for 23 goals and 59 assists over their four years for the Ephs. "I'm happy that I've been able to be here with these young women for four years and know they'll be very successful," Lye said.
Looking back on this year, Lye, who wrapped up her rookie season as head coach this afternoon, noted, "With how the season went overall, it would have been easy to throw in the towel early. I'm proud of how the girls persevered and were able to come together as a team."
