Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – Celebrating their upperclassmen today, Williams Field Hockey (6-8, 4-6 NESCAC) began the game by announcing their four seniors, Emily Jablonski, Ariana Spiliotes, Anne Longobardo, and Emily Pavlini. Williams would finish their senior day with a win against NESCAC rival, Bates College (4-10, 1-9 NESCAC).
The first half was full of offensive chances for both teams, although neither would be able to capitalize in those first 35 minutes of play. Each team got closer and closer to getting on the scoreboard, however, making plays to draw corners only to miss the net wide or high. At around the 15 minute mark, Bates had just such a chance as they dribbled past the Williams defense towards goal to draw another corner. Katie Gallop would be able to break up the short insert and begin a transition down the field. A few minutes later, Williams would handle the ball for a prolonged period close to goal, taking a solid shot on goal only to have it successfully kicked away by Bates goalie Becca Otley. Otley would make nine saves in the first half.
Bates would come back, taking their turn on offense with a prolonged possession with just under ten minutes left in the half. Eph goalie Ariana Spiliotes would come up with a big save to turn away a shot off of a corner, and Williams would use that to transition smoothly up the field. For the remainder of the half, Williams would control the ball, taking a number of dangerous shots including a bullet by Annie VanWagenen off of an insert by teammate Caitlin Conlon. Williams would not be able to capitalize, however, and the half would end with the score tied at zero.
The second half would be just as exciting, with Williams dominating in shots taken and corners drawn but remaining unable to capitalize. Williams kept it in Bates' defensive end for the majority of the game, taking nineteen shots to Bates' eight. VanWagenen was able to get off a few more dangerous drives, but none connected with the back of the net. Around the 55:00 mark, Bates had the potential to score but Williams turned them away. Spiliotes made a diving save to keep the score tied at zero.
Finally, at the 64:31 mark, Williams made the most of one of their offensive opportunities. Transitioning quickly up the field, Williams found themselves in their offensive end with a man-up opportunity. Senior captain Emily Jablonski moved the ball to teammate Conlon who was waiting on the left hand side of the arc. Taking the goalie one on one, Conlon moved the ball past her deeper into the left side of the arc and flicked a high backhand shot into the net. With the score at 1-0 in Williams' favor, Jablonski would have a chance to score on another one-on-one with the goalie. Otley would make the stop, however, and Bates would continue to fight. The time would run out shortly thereafter, giving Williams the win. "Our determination to finish was amazing. WE've grown as a team to recognize how to beat our opponents and we never gave up," said coach Alix Barrale. "The goal at the end gave us the momentum we needed to really hold it together for the last few minutes of play."
Spiliotes would finish with five saves on the day and Otley would finish with nineteen.
