Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Williams men's lacrosse played Skidmore very close through the first two quarters, finishing the half with a 4-2 lead. In the second half Williams went on a scoring tear, going on to win the game 13-4.
The first quarter was a low scoring one. Williams (2-0) got the first goal of the game from Riley Hoffman. Then Tanner Maclvor fired in a second for Williams to take them up to a two nothing lead. Skidmore (1-1) was able to stop Williams' momentum with a goal by RJ Caruso off of a rebound on a fast break.
The second quarter followed the same pattern as the first quarter, with Williams scoring the first two goals and then Skidmore scoring. The first goal of the quarter came after a great defensive play by Matt O'Connor, which led to a fast break where Bryson Gilbert-Bono scored for Williams. On the next goal for Williams Gilbert-Bono assisted to Chris McLaughlin. Then Skidmore put a stop to Williams' run with a goal from Connor Hunter, bouncing it into the top left.
Skidmore scored quickly in the third quarter with a goal from Connor Hunter at 13:54. Williams' Riley Hoffman quickly matched the goal at 13:29 to spark an eight-goal run by William through the first half.
Williams was led in scoring by Steve Kiesel, who had three goals. Riley Hoffman and Tanner Maclvor also scored two goals each.
Connor Hunter, who had two goals, led Skidmore.
Williams goalie Dan Whittam played 56:19 and had eleven saves and allowed three goals. Williams second goalie Miles McCarthy goalie 3:41 and had one save and allowed one goal.
Skidmore goalie Chris Baughan played 52:29 and allowed eleven goals and had nine saves. Backup goalie Josh Worley played 7:21 and allowed two goals and had one save.
Riley Hoffman was a strong factor in the win today "I thought our upperclassmen, and Riley Hoffman in particular sparked us with a couple of goals," said Eph head coach George McCormack. "He really did have an impact in many areas of the game, providing energy on defense and scoring two goals as a long stick midfielder."
The increased intensity from Williams was apparent from other players as well in their strong finish.
In the fourth quarter there was a play where Tanner Maclvor was caught in a triple team at half field during a clear but he escaped to successfully clear the ball by making a strong bull dodge, and then a swim dodge, and then a strong cut to the left to outrun his third defender.
On another play Skidmore had a fast break and attempted to make a pass to an open attacker on the crease but Williams' defenseman Brendan Bossidy made a diving check to prevent the attacker from catching the pass, which led to a turnover, which led to a Williams goal.
The next game for the Ephs is March 7th at 1:00 P.M. when they will host Trinity College.
