Box Score AMHERST, MA – In the first round of the NESCAC tournament, the Williams College field hockey team faced off against long-time rival, Amherst College. Despite an Eph goal late in the second half to tie the game at 1, #4 ranked Amherst (12-4) defeated #5 Williams (10-6) 2-1 in overtime.
Williams had a strong start to the game as they produced offensive pressure, connected on passes, and possessed the ball for the majority of the half. The Ephs outshot the Lord Jeffs in the first 35 minutes 7 to 4, but was unable to connect with the back of the net on their scoring opportunities. "We completely dominated and controlled the first half, remarked Williams' head coach Alix Barrale. "We had several opportunities to score but just missed by inches."
After the half, Amherst started to pick up the pace, generating 3 shots on goal within the first five minutes – one of which resulted in a goal. Off of a penalty corner at 39:11, Caroline Fiore fed junior, Sara Culhane with a pass, who shot through the Williams defense and past Margaret Draper tallying the first goal of the game.
The Amherst pressure did not let up. Between the 56th and 58th minute marks, the Lord Jeffs had five shots on goal, all of which were denied by Draper. After this burst of offensive chances by Amherst, Williams took a timeout to disrupt the momentum. This timeout proved to be successful as it was able to refocus the Ephs and help them get back on track to get the ball in Amherst's end.
At 59:56, Williams received a penalty corner where sophomore Hannah Goodrick inserted the ball to senior Annie VanWagenen. VanWagenen received the pass at the top of the circle and blasted a shot past Lord Jeff goalie, Emily Horwitz to tie the game at 1.
The tied score pushed them game into overtime, where Amherst capitalized at 72:57. Inside the circle, Sara Culhane got possession of the ball and sent the ball on net. Draper made the initial save, but Culhane picked up the rebound and found the back of the net to earn Amherst a spot in the next round of NESCACs.
Williams had 4 penalty corners and 9 shots on goal to Amherst's 7 corners ad 14 shots on goal. Margaret Draper had 12 saves for the Ephs and Emily Horwitz had 8 for the Lord Jeffs.
"That was the best game we played all season," said Barrale. Second half was more back and forth and Amherst scored on a corner to take the lead. We fought hard and tied it back up on a corner. Although we had our chance in overtime, it unfortunately wasn't meant to be. Such a heartbreaking way to end the season but I'm so proud of this team. They gave it all and left everything on the field and I will miss the seniors so much."
