WILLIAMSTOWN, MA- The Williams field hockey team (2-0-0) defeated Keene State (2-3-0) 3-1 in a fast-paced home game on Tuesday, with sophomore Caitlin Conlon (Sudbury, MA) scoring two of the Ephs' three goals.
Williams kept consistent control of the ball through the first half, with a strong offense supported by sophomore midfield Cary Hairfield (Richmond, VA). The Ephs made their first goal at 16:03, when first-year Lexie Brackenridge (Boston, MA) scored with an assist by her classmate Annie VanWagenen (Rye, NY). Just eleven minutes later, Conlon raised Williams' lead to 2-0 with an unassisted goal at 27:22, her first of two for the night.
Keene State came back with a fury after halftime, fiercely contesting the Ephs' ball possession. Their hard work paid off, with Owls sophomore Marisa Lemoine scoring at 37:04 in an unassisted shot. However, despite the intense battles for possession, Williams was able to increase its lead to 3-1 at 55:00, when Conlon made her second goal of the night, assisted by VanWagenen.
A strong player in penalty corners, VanWagenen made seven of the team's nineteen shots for the night. The fiery defensive front, lead by sophomore Jaclyn Porfilio (West Roxbury, MA) and Betsy Hart-- who left her normal position as midfielder for the night-- helped keep the ball solidly on Keene State's side.
Ariana Spiliotes (Bethesda, MD), the Ephs' goalkeeper, made five saves and played for the entire game. The Owls' goalkeeper, Caitlin Davino-Drape, made seven saves.
Williams took the lead in penalty corners, earning twelve to Keene State's three.
Head coach Alix Barrale is happy with her team's win, but continues to think ahead. "We definitely built off of the last game. Our passing was good, and we did a much better job working the ball down the right side tonight. We're a team that focuses on the fundamentals, but we also have to play at top speed. We have to be aggressive on the field."
The Ephs travel to Trinity College for their first away game, this Saturday at noon.
