Box Score SCHENECTADY, NY – Williams Field Hockey (1-3-0, 0-2-0 NESCAC) defeated Union College (1-5-0) by a decisive score of four to one thanks in part to a hat trick by junior Eph Caitlin Conlon.
Williams came out on fire, scoring only one minute into play to be the first on the scoreboard. Conlon would score unassisted off of a short range shot in the middle of the fan to give the Ephs the lead, and her teammates used it to keep up the pressure against the Dutchmen. Taking ten shots to Union's five in the first half, Williams dominated offensively. The Ephs tried to capitalize on the Dutchmen's mistakes in the fan, taking six penalty corners to the Dutchmen's two. Despite their clean defense and effective offense, Williams was unable to put another goal past Union for the rest of the first half.
The second half proved successful for the Ephs as well, although it began with two penalty corners for Union. "Union had chances, and the play was very back and forth at times," said coach, Alix Barrale. "We were able to play strong defense, stay focused and hold them off when they tried to shift the momentum." With the confidence they gained from an early goal in the first half, the Ephs kept up the offensive pressure, taking a total of ten shots in the half. Conlon would widen Williams' lead with a shot that trickled in from close range. Then, with a penalty corner at the 62:21 mark, the Ephs finally saw this pressure come to fruition. With a follow-up shot off of the penalty corner, Cary Hairfield scored to bring the Ephs' lead to two goals. With another goal on the scoreboard, Williams would ratchet up their effort in the attacking end. "We were determined and had an attacking mindset today so we took control of the game before Union could," said Barrale. Conlon would score one more goal before the end of play, this time a low-angle shot from the left goal post.
The game finished at a score of 4-0 in the Ephs favor, with goalie Nina Kumar turning away seven shots to pull off a shut out. Union goalie Molly McCune would save eight shots on the night.
Next, Williams takes on NESCAC rival Amherst at home at 12 PM on Saturday.
