Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA -- Despite the weather cooling down today, the Ephs certainly did not. They pulled ahead in the second half to top Trinity 2-1.
Hoping to continue the winning streak, Williams College (2-0, 1-0) knew they had to come out strong against the Trinity College Bantams (2-0, 1-0). This was a huge game for the NESCAC, as both teams wanted to achieve a 4-0 record. For the Ephs, though, a little more was on the line because they have not beaten the Bantams in field hockey in seven years.
After initial control of the play, the Bantams' persistence and skillful play presented them with multiple chances to score. Williams struggled to put together long strings of play, but junior Annie VanWagenen came close on two different corners. Although the Ephs did not have as many corners as they have been getting in the past games, the ones they had today were very well executed. Senior co-captain Caitlin Conlon did all of the inserts and consistently gave them to VanWagenen, who was striking the ball well.
Trinity pressed hard and controlled the possession of the ball for the last part of the half. With just under ten minutes to go, the Bantams put one in. After controlling the ball in the circle and waiting for the right opportunity, first year Brenna Hobin smacked a shot across the front of the goal to the far corner.
Trinity continued to pressure the Williams defense. Two more corner opportunities for the Bantams were near goals, but senior Jaclyn Porfilio stepped up with some big blocks. Coach Alix Barrale acknowledged this saying that "our defense was tremendous starting with Draper and Jackie. They worked well together to prevent fast breaks."
The Ephs really changed the face of the game right from the start of the second half. In their first run at the goal of the half, the Ephs earned a corner. Going to VanWagenen again, Conlon pushed in a perfect ball. VanWagenen stopped it for herself and sailed a shot past the goalie to the far post. The goal gave the Ephs the boost of confidence they needed to finish out the game.
Shortly after, with 27:06 left in the game, the Ephs strung together another goal. VanWagenen saved a ball from going out the endline and crossed the ball into the center. First year Alix Bennett received the cross and capitalized on a defender's misstep to get a shot off. After deflecting off a defender, sophomore Brigid Bruno gains control and gives it to sophomore Rachel Brissette. Brissette sent it far post to put the Ephs ahead 2-1.
Nearing the last fifteen minutes of the game, Trinity came dangerously close to tying up the score. The Bantams defense set a great through ball to their forwards, leaving sophomore Margaret Draper with a one-on-one. Draper denied the shot, but was called for a penalty. Sophomore Samantha Sandler took the penalty for Trinity and sent the shot wide off the right post.
For the rest of the game Williams took a more defensive approach. This was necessary, though, as Trinity relentlessly tried to get to the cage. Strong defensive efforts were key. Barrale said of her defense, "(senior co-captain) and (sophomore) Katie Gallop did a good job keeping their forwards from capitalizing in the circle. Emma Grauberger shut down the wings with excellent block tackles." Sophomore Kit Rosen even took two different passes to the face in her attempts to stop feeds into the middle.
It certainly was not easy, but the Ephs' ability to turn it on in the second half made all the difference. "I'm most impressed with our tenacity and determination as a team. Everyone was engaged and invested in every play whether they were on the sideline or on the playing field," said Barrale.
Williams' next game is this Wednesday at Mount Holyoke at 7:00 PM.
