Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Williams women's soccer team defeated the Connecticut Camels (5-8-2) in the first round of the NESCAC playoffs today behind three first half goals, the first of which came in just the fifth minute. Hana Tomozawa, Caitlyn Clark, and Chloe Kuh all scored for the Ephs. With the win, the second-seeded Ephs (11-3-1) move on to the semi-finals, which they will host following an upset of top-seeded Middlebury earlier in the day.
The Ephs got on the board right off of the start. After forcing a corner, Chloe Kuh dished the ball in from the right side. Connecticut was able to clear, but Kristine Nakada stepped up to keep the ball in the attacking end. She passed the ball to Clark alone in the box who fired at the net. Camel goalie Natalie Signor was able to make a great diving save to her right, however, to keep the game scoreless. Tomozawa was ready on the left post, though, and after fighting in the box was able to find the back of the net.
Just under a minute later, the Ephs struck again. The Camels were able to clear off of a defensive corner, but Mai Mitsuyama had a rocket of a shot off the clear. Her chance hit the crossbar, and Clark was able to one-touch the rebound into the net.
In the 21st minute, the Ephs added their third goal. Clark took a free kick into the box from the left sideline. After a mess in the box, Mistuyama got a good look at the net that Signor was able to save as she went down to the ground. Kuh finished off of the rebound with a shot into the top part of the net to give the Ephs the 3-0 lead.
Following the third goal, the Camels began to fight back. With just over 16 minutes to play, Connecticut saw its best opportunity of the half with a rocket of a shot from Stevie Lustofin from about 25 yards out. Eph keeper Hannah Van Wetter was able to make the save on her near post, however, to keep the Camels scoreless.
With just under a minute to play, Connecticut was awarded a free kick outside the box. Aina Torres put the ball on goal with a beautiful shot, but Van Wetter was able to save the arcing shot on the right post to keep the score at 3-0 as time winded down.
The second half proved much more back and forth as much of the play occurred in the midfield. The Camels had more looks at the goal and were able to hold the Ephs to no shots for over half of the second frame and to only three shots in the entire half. Neither team found the back of the net in the second frame, and despite the new-found fire, it was too little, too late for the Camels.
Tempers flew in the game as Camel head coach Norm Riker was awarded a yellow card with just minutes remaining in the opening frame for dissent. Camel captain Ali McKeigue was awarded a yellow card for dissent and then a red card for abusive language on the same play with just over 14 minutes to play.
The Ephs outshot the Camels by a tally of 15-13 on the game. Van Wetter posted three saves in the opening frame for the Ephs, and Laura Wann and Carolina Echenique added a save each in the second. Natalie Signor recorded six saves for the Camels in the first half; neither Blythe Gross-Hutton nor Kristen Manville saw a shot on goal in the second half.
Said Coach Michelyne Pinard after the game, "I don't think it's what I said before the game (that brought the momentum), but rather after the Middlebury game we realized we needed to start doing the little things again. We needed to take care of the ball. Defensively, we needed to be a little more patient and defend a little more as a unit. We did all those little things (today) that made us great throughout the season. I think (the three goals) [were] just a nice way to start the game, and I thought we did a great job through the 90 minutes."
Added Pinard, "Those early goals just helped us calm down and play with a little more confidence which helped us keep the ball and find attacking options. I thought every single person on the team did a great job, and it was fun to watch."
Wesleyan upset top-seeded Middlebury earlier today 2-0, so the Ephs will host both the semi-finals and finals next weekend as the highest remaining seed. The Ephs will take on the Cardinals in the earlier game. The Ephs defeated Wesleyan 3-1 in their regular-season matchup this year. Their game will take place at 11:00. The second semi-final game is not yet set as not all quarterfinals have finished.
Looking to next weekend, Pinard said, "I think the NESCAC is unbelievably competitive right now. It doesn't matter who we're playing. Everyone's good, and everyone's capable of beating anyone. We're thrilled to be home. To be back on Cole is a gift. We just want to take it one game at a time. Tt doesn't matter who we're playing; we're just excited to keep getting better.
