Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Williams women's soccer team defeated the Bates Bobcats 2-0 today at Cole Field in its first league matchup of the year. The Ephs (1-1-0) took the lead in the first frame with an unassisted goal from Abby Morss and a finish from Alison Magruder off of a beautiful through ball from Samantha Vilaboa. The game was the Bobcats' first of the year, and they start the season at 0-1-0.
Williams turned on the offensive heat just over fifteen minutes into the first half when Caitlyn Clark had a beautiful through ball into the box to Magruder. Bobcat goalie Anabel Schmelz beat Magruder to the ball to keep it a 0-0 game. Just over a minute later, Hayley Cook had a cross to Vilaboa who just got a foot on the ball in the box, but the shot fell wide.
The continued attack, however, proved to pay off when Eph first-year Morss scored the first goal of her career off of a low shot from the top of the box that went through the keeper's hands. The goal gave the Ephs a 1-0 lead in the 19th minute.
The Ephs added to the lead just over two minutes later when Magruder received a through ball from Vilaboa and sprinted past her defender to keep possession. She finished with a shot just over the keeper's head.
Bates looked to respond with a goal of its own with a nice give-and-go in the attacking end that resulted in a shot for Dakota Donovan in the 29th minute. She kept the shot on the ground, and Eph keeper Laura Wann came up with the save to keep the Eph lead at 2-0. The two teams traded possessions for the rest of the half, and the Ephs went into the break with the lead.
Out of halftime, the Ephs continued to attack, but the Bobcats fought back and the play was back and forth for much of the half. Bates continued to fight to get on the board, but the Ephs refused to let down on defense. While Bates managed to hold the Ephs for the entire second half, they could not find the back of the net.
The Bobcats' best opportunity came with seven minutes to play when Caitrin Griffin served a corner into the box. Eph goalie Hannah Van Wetter misjudged the ball, and it fell in the center of the box. Maggie Coco got a foot on the loose ball and took a rocket of a shot that went off the crossbar. Van Wetter scooped up the ball in the box to preserve the shut out.
The Ephs dominated the game on the attacking side as they took 18 shots to the Bobcats' seven. Bates goalies Morgosh and Schmelz held their own, however, and combined for nine saves – including six from Morgosh in the second half. Van Wetter and Wann had two saves apiece for the Ephs.
After the game, Coach Michelyne Pinard commented: "I think one of our biggest strengths is our depth. We knew going into the game that we were going to use that since we have back-to-back games this weekend. I think all the first-years definitely stepped up. We certainly collectively as a team have a bit to go, a bit to learn, but I'm excited about their desire to get better literally every moment and then certainly every game."
About the Ephs' dominant attack in today's game, she said, "I think we learned a lot from the Oneonta game (which the Ephs lost 2-0). I think our attacking was better, but I think we still have a long ways to go. I'm hoping that and we're working on the transition being faster every game and when that happens, our decisions are faster and that makes it more challenging for their backs. [Today's attack] was good, but I think it can be even better, which I'm really excited about."
Said Pinard about the importance of the NESCAC win, "This is a great result for us, no doubt. We know this is one of the toughest leagues in the country, so any result is a great result. I just think we can keep getting better, which is what we're focused on."
The Ephs return to Cole Field tomorrow to take on Wheaton College at 1:00 PM.
