Box Score HARTFORD, CONN – In their second NESCAC showing, Williams Field Hockey (0-3-0, 0-2-0 NESCAC) fell to Trinity College (3-0-0, 2-0-0 NESCAC) by a score of three goals to one, despite a late goal by Williams' Cary Hairfield.
The Ephs were evenly matched with their competition for the first ten minutes of play, as both teams remained scoreless despite the Bantams' offensive pressure. Trinity finally broke through, however, scoring at the 11:08 mark off of a penalty corner. Trinity's Casey Quinn would score unassisted to put the Bantams on the scoreboard. Before the Ephs could strike back, the Bantams capitalized yet again thanks to another unassisted goal, this time by senior Sarah Duncan. With the score at 2-0 in Trinity's favor, Williams utilized their depth to begin to mount their comeback effort, using 15 field players and both goalies throughout the match.
Trinity kept up the pressure, however, scoring again near the end of the first half off of another penalty corner to bring the score to 3-0. Bantam Nikki Rivera scored with the help of assists by teammates Sophie Doering and Courtney Wynne to close the half with the Bantams enjoying a significant lead. The Ephs would close the half with two shots on goal to the Bantams' nine and one corner kick to the Bantams' six.
The second half proved more fruitful for Williams as they defended against a relentless Trinity offense. The Bantams continued their slew of shots on goal from the first half, but the Ephs kept them at bay with strong defense by junior Jaclyn Porfilio and freshmen Katie Gallop and Allie Holle. Sophomore Nina Kumar stepped into net for the Ephs at the beginning of the second half and helped keep the Bantams scoreless with solid saves. Despite Trinity's speed and ability to handle the ball, Williams stepped up with better communication and greater confidence throughout the second half. "It was very encouraging to close out the game in the way we did," said coach Alix Barrele. "In the second half we did a better job of finding space and moving the ball up the field. That really changed the momentum in our favor."
The Bantams continued playing aggressive defense, doubling the ball and utilizing their speed, but the Ephs played poised under that pressure in the second half. At the 52:10 mark, Cary Hairfield scored off of a shot by teammate Kit Rosen to put the Ephs on the scoreboard. With the momentum in their favor, Williams continued playing hard to make their comeback. Unfortunately, the clock was not in Williams' favor as time ran out before they could capitalize on their solid defense and the new spark in their offense. Williams took two shots to Trinity's nine in the second half and one penalty corner to Trinity's six. Williams goalie, Arianna Spiliotes made four saves in the first half and Kumar made seven in the second half. Trinity goalie, Anne Scalambrino made two saves.
Williams next takes on Union College at Union at 6 P.M. on Wednesday.
