Box Score SPRINGFIELD, MA – The Williams women's soccer team defeated the Springfield Pride (4-3) today 3-0 behind first half goals from Hayley Cook and Lindsey Vandergrift and a second half goal from Carla Nicasio. With the win, the Ephs move to 5-3 on the year.
The Ephs' first goal came just 11:05 into the game when Chloe Kuh chipped a ball from the top left corner of the box to Cook. Cook finished in the top left corner of the net.
Williams netted another goal just before the break. Crystal Lewin passed ahead to Vandergrift whose shot bounced into the net after hitting the crossbar. The goal was the first of her college career.
The Ephs' third goal came in the 60th minute. Off of a corner kick, Abby Morss had a nice look at the net, but Pride goalie Erin Greenstein was able to keep the ball out of the net. Nicasio, however, finished a one-touch shot of the rebound.
Despite not being able to finish, the Pride outshot the Ephs nine to six. Hannah Van Wetter posted three saves for the Ephs in the opening frame, and Laura Wann posted two in the second half.
After the game, Coach Michelyne Pinard said, "I think that it was an even game. Springfield is a great team. I just think we finished our opportunities and limited their opportunities to chances that the keepers could handle." She added, "I just felt like we competed at a level that we've been striving for all year. We took a big step forward today."
The Ephs return to the field Tuesday at Hamilton. Game time is set for 4 PM.
Looking ahead, Pinard said, "I think we've been focused on getting better every day. To put it together against a team as good as Springfield, I think this means great things going forward. We know that we can't take anything for granted. We know that Hamilton will be ready for us. We're just ready to go. We want to keep playing."
