Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – In an exciting out-of-conference matchup, the Williams College Ephs (8-3) fell 2-1 to the Skidmore College Thoroughbreds (7-3).
The game came down to the very wire with a Williams' penalty stroke taken by senior, Emma Grauberger. Down by a goal with 15.7 seconds left, she earned the penalty stroke after being taken down inside the circle by Thoroughbred goalie, Zoe McGuire. Grauberger placed the ball a few feet off the ground towards the right side of the net, but McGuire made a diving save to prevent the Ephs from tying it up, earning Skidmore a victory.
In a fast paced first half, both teams applied relentless pressure creating constant back and forth play. Each team moved the ball with purpose and was connecting on their passes. Although the Ephs had over twice as many shots on goal as the Thoroughbreds in the first half of the game, it was Skidmore who would strike first.
Skidmore was first to get on the scoreboard with a goal from freshman, Gabby Hyman. At 15:59 Hyman got possession of the ball just inside the circle on the left side of the field and dribbled the ball towards the net before firing a shot and finding the right side of the back of the net.
Margaret Draper of the Ephs made an incredible save with less than a minute left in the first half when senior, Dani DeGregory sprinted down the right side and centered the ball. Gabby Hyman ran on to the ball beating the Williams' defense and headed towards goal. Draper ran out and made a diving play, stopping the ball and denying Hyman of a goal.
At 49:10 in the second half, DeGregory got the ball just inside the half line and sprinted down the field towards the cage. Emma Grauberger, who was trailing behind, caught up to DeGregory and was able to slow her down so that the rest of the defense could recover. Despite impeding her from going straight to goal, DeGregory broke free from the pressure and regained possession of the ball at the top of the circle. She carried it towards the right side of the circle and without defensive pressure immediately on her, she wound up and rifled a shot to the bottom left corner of the net.
Although they were down by two, the Ephs did not give up. Applying a lot of offenseive pressure, junior, Brigid Bruno was able to respond with a goal at 50:58. Senior, Annie VanWagenen brought the ball inside the circle, spun to protect the ball, and pushed it off to the center of the circle where Alex Bennett received the pass and took a shot. Zoe McGuire made the stop, but the rebound popped out to Bruno, who gained possession and pushed the ball to the back of the net.
The Ephs remained all over the Thoroughbreds, drawing several corners and creating some scoring opportunities. Grauberger then earned a penalty stroke with less than 16 seconds left, but with no success.
The Ephs ended the game 9 penalty corners and 11 shots on goal and the Thoroughbreds finished with 5 penalty corners and 5 shots on goal. Margaret Draper made 3 saves for Williams and McGuire made 10 for Skidmore.
"That was a really great game. We dominated, out-shot them, out-cornered them, but just couldn't finish," said Ephs head coach Alix Barrale. "I thought it was a very good example of how much we have improved and how we were connecting on our passing. We stayed poised under pressure, were in control when the pressure was strong and it just came down to the wire and didn't go our way. It is a shame, but something to build on. Now we have some time off to regroup, recharge, and refocus for our final 4 NESCAC games."
The Ephs are off until next Saturday, October 17th, away at Wesleyan at 12pm.
