Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Williams College field hockey team (2-4-0, 1-3-0) defeated Connecticut College (3-3-0) by a score of 1-0 at home today to gain their first NESCAC win, and their second win overall.
The game began with the Ephs in command, grabbing control of the ball and maintaining it for most of the first half. Williams had their first offensive opportunity at the 3:30 mark when Kit Rosen crossed the ball from the right side of the field to a teammate who took a shot that went high over the net. When Connecticut tried to clear the ball out of their defensive end, Williams recovered and made another charge to goal. Katie Jolin carried it up the field to draw the first of a series of corners. Keeping the ball in the Camels' defensive end, the Ephs continued to move the ball effectively, taking eleven shots in the half. Williams saw many scoring opportunities, and was finally able to capitalize at the 11:13 mark. Caitlin Conlon inserted the ball and Jolin took a direct shot to put the Ephs up by one. Williams would continue to hold possession of the ball for the rest of the half, until Connecticut made a run to goal with less than five minutes left. Dribbling the ball deep into the left side of the goal, the Camels tried to tie the game up. Williams would recover to make another drive to goal. They would not capitalize, however, and the half would close at 1-0 in Williams' favor.
The Ephs took control again in the second half, pushing the ball into the Camels' defensive end. "We really came together today and gelled well," said coach Alix Barrele. "We kept possession of the ball and were able to work the ball smoothly down the right side of the field." Williams would try to capitalize on this offensive pressure but Connecticut would battle back and push to take control offensively. With a shot by Connecticut at the 50 minute mark, Williams goalie Nina Kumar would make a clutch save to keep the Ephs in the lead. "It's hard to make a save like that after seeing no shots all game, but Nina stepped up and made that save late in the game to keep us in the lead," said Barrele.
Past the 55 minute mark, Connecticut would draw streak of corners to try to tie the game up at one. However, Williams would keep them at bay. Turning the momentum back in their favor, Williams took control of the ball again as Annie VanWagenen made a few runs to goal, only to have them thwarted by the Connnecticut defense. With a greencard on Connecticut's Maggie Rakovic, the Ephs tried to take advantage of their man-up situation. The teams would remain deadlocked for the half, however, despite three corners in a row by Connecticut.
Connecticut goalie Becca Napolitano would make six saves on the day, while Williams goalie Kumar would make one.
Next, Williams takes on Middlebury College away at 1 P.M. on Sunday.
