Box Score BALTIMORE, MD -- The Williams College Ephs (5-3/ 3-1 NESCAC) were unable to clinch a victory today after the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers (9-0) rattled off a series of goals early in the contest. The game, played on Johns Hopkins University's Homewood Field, marked the end of the Ephs' Spring Break trip. They are now headed back to campus for the remainder of the break.
Despite the 15-10 loss, several Ephs contributed on either end of the field, including eight different goal scorers. Connor Roddy and Eric Kelley were the team's high scorers with two goals apiece.
The Tigers outshot the Ephs 51-39, marking one of the few times this season that Williams was the less offensive team. RIT's Casey Jackson scored five goals, tallying at least one per quarter.
The Tigers fired off a few early shots, but Whittam was strong in the net. Eric Kelley scored his first goal of the game, putting Williams on the board—and in the lead—with 9:09 remaining in the first quarter. Teammate Peter Crane scored the Ephs' second of the quarter a few minutes later.
Four separate RIT attackers also tallied goals, putting the score at 4-2 in the Tigers' favor when the first quarter wrapped.
The second quarter proved pivotal for the fate of the contest. The Tigers went on a five goal scoring run, carried out by a number of different RIT contributors. They found success by capitalizing on small Williams breakdowns, including minor turnovers and a failed clear.
Connor Roddy broke the run, scoring with one second remaining in the first half. This would serve to warn the Tigers that Williams was ready to fight back. Khary Dennis assisted the goal.
The halftime score was 9-3, but two minutes into the half and RIT's offense was at it again. Two goals scored in the first two minutes put the team at 11-3. This eight-goal deficit was the largest scoring gap throughout the contest.
Eric Kelley scored his second goal of the contest off an assist from Joe Kinney. A minute later, RIT's Casey Jackson answered back.
With 4:06 remaining the score was 12-4, but Eph sophomores Khary Dennis and Connor Roddy each found the back of the net, making it a six-goal difference.
The goals continued to be traded into the fourth quarter. After a strong showing from each goalkeeper, the Tigers once again found the back of the net. Within a few minutes, RIT scored three goals to the Ephs' one.
At 15-7 with 9:15 left in the game, the Tigers were in a good position to win. However, the Ephs reminded their opponents that they would not stop fighting. They dominated most of the final minutes of play.
With two minutes left, Whittam scooped up a vital ground ball, which was then worked down to the attack. Three separate Ephs, all sophomores, tallied last-minute goals. Though the game did not end in their favor, Williams certainly did not give in.
"It was a tough loss, but we had a strong showing later in the game," Coach McCormack pointed out. He also noted that a weaker second quarter proved detrimental to the outcome.
"They're the number one team in the country, and their offense is incredibly strong. It was a good opportunity for us to play them and improve," he explained. "Now we are looking toward the future."
They will return to Williamstown tomorrow to finish out their Spring Break. The Ephs will take the field on Tuesday, April 1 against Tufts University.
