Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA - Bridget Malicki's hat-trick was not enough to propel No. 17 Williams (7-5, 3-5 NESCAC) over No. 10 Colby College (9-4, 4-4 NESCAC). Despite capturing three of the final four goals in the contest, the Ephs fell to the Mules, 12-9. However, the Ephs managed to clinch a spot in the NESCAC playoffs, as Bates College lost to Middlebury. They will travel to either Middlebury or Trinity for their first round matchup.
Though the contest finished with 21 total goals, the first period's offensive production was slow to develop. The stagnant goal scoring was in large part because of Williams' Margaret Draper and Colby's Claire Dickson, who prevented a slew of quality scoring chances in goal. After driving wide on the Eph defense, Colby's Abby Hatch fired the ball into the top of the net, opening the game's scoring at 26:12. After exchanging turnovers on the ensuing draw, Lexie Perticone found an open Hatch on the crease, who made no mistake, bringing Colby's lead to 2-0.
The Ephs were quick to respond, however; Nancy Palmer ('15) won the successive draw, passed to Maeve Mulholland ('15), who then fed Bridget Malicki ('15), who blistered a shot past Dickson at 23:24. The Mules' Dana Swaffield answered seconds later, dancing past two Eph defenders and eking the ball past Draper. After an array of saves by Claire Dickson, Mulholland launched a pass into the stick of Becca Bell ('15), who finessed the ball into the back of the cage, bringing the Ephs within one.
Dickson's acrobatic goaltending appeared to spark the Mules, who dominated possession for the rest of the half and converted four consecutive goals. Though the Mules commanded much of the first half, Williams' Jenna Chodos ('17) and Hillary Cook ('15) managed to tickle twine. Chodos' tally was the prettiest of the afternoon; after angling past her defender, she twisted through two more Mules, dove, and whistled a shot into the upper corner from just inside the 8 meter arc.
Though the Ephs ended the half down 8-5, they had numerous chances to score. Colby's goaltending tandem of Claire Dickson and Sam Burch kept the Ephs at bay, combining for 11 first half stops. The Ephs controlled the groundball battle 12-7, as well as draw controls, 8-6.
Up by three goals at the start of the second half, it was evident the Mules wanted to be patient on offense. After controlling the opening draw, they didn't fire a shot on net until 26:11, which found its way into the Ephs' net. The Mules' tally was instantly avenged by Cook, who scored a free-position attempt just seconds later. The game remained scoreless for the next ten minutes, primarily because of Colby's first-year netminder, Sam Burch. Burch, a native of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, prevented several doorstep opportunities.
Facing a five goal deficit with 10 minutes to play, the Ephs' sense of urgency was palpable. Becca Bell got the Ephs back on the board via a free-position chance at 10:23, bringing the score to 11-7. Colby countered with a goal of their own, but the Ephs would not go away. After winning the ensuing draw, Mulholland floated the ball to Anne Rehfuss, who handled it, twirled through the Mule defense, and jammed it into the cage at 8:20. Minutes later, Malicki intercepted a Mule clearing attempt and blasted a shot into the net, bringing the Ephs within 3. Colby won the sequential draw, and without a shot clock in women's lacrosse, managed to wind down the time, ending the game with a 12-9 advantage.
Williams was led in scoring by Bridget Malicki, who recorded a hat-trick and added an assist. Abby Hatch vaulted the Mules to victory with four goals and an assist. In goal, Margaret Draper notched four saves, Claire Dickson fashioned five, and Sam Burch collected eight.
Williams concludes their regular season on Wednesday against top-ranked Middlebury at 4:30PM. Colby finishes NESCAC play against Bates on Wednesday in Waterville, Maine.
