Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Ephs of Williams College (8-5/4-4 NESCAC) defeated the Brewers of Vassar College (7-6) by a score of 14-10 Wednesday evening on Farley-Lamb Field.
The Ephs took the lead early scoring five consecutive goals in the first quarter clinching a lead they would protect for the entire game. Twice in the fourth quarter, Vassar got within two of Williams, however, the Ephs held on to win their final regular season home game of the season.
The Ephs were led by junior Michael Fahey who contributed six points on two goals and four assists. Senior Jack Lauroesch scored three and assisted one for Williams. Thomas Fowler, Tanner MacIvor, and Riley Hoffman added two goals each to the Ephs' tally.
Vassar was led by first year James Thomas with six points (three goals, three assists) and senior Noah Parson with four goals. First year Matthew Boyd played all 60 minutes in goal for the Brewers making 16 saves.
Williams came out strong in the first half when junior Michael Fahey found senior Conor Roddy coming around the goal taking a 1-0 lead just 1:15 into the game. Shortly after, senior Bryson Gilbert-Bono took control for the Ephs taking control of the possession and putting the Ephs up by two. Williams held possession for much of the quarter and saw senior goalkeeper Miles McCarthy make some momentum-changing saves. The Ephs tallied four goals more before Vassar got on the board with 2:22 remaining in the quarter making the score 5-1, Williams.
Vassar came alive in the second quarter scoring four, including two from Parson to put them within three, at 8-5, heading into the half.
The Ephs opened up the second half with two straight goals lifting their lead to five goals when sophomore James McFarland found the back of the net off a pass from Lauroesch.
The third quarter remained a battle when the Brewers scored two more. McCarthy would keep the Ephs' lead solid with another clutch save with 4:33 left to play in the quarter. MacIvor snuck one in on a strong shot from fifteen yards out with just seven seconds to spare to give Williams a four goal lead heading into the final quarter.
The Brewers pushed to come back in the fourth quarter opening with two goals, including one in a man-up situation, however, the Ephs held on and solidified their win with Lauroesch scoring two more in the last five minutes of play for the Ephs' third consecutive victory.
Sophomore Brian Bissell won 16 of 18 faceoffs on the day and first year Angus O'Rourke won 7 of the 9 he took. Williams picked up a remarkable 48 ground balls compared to 19 for Vassar and the Ephs outshot the Brewers 67-28.
"I thought it was a good game in a sense that the offense did a good job moving and sharing the ball," said Williams Head Coach George McCormack, "And our faceoff guys did a really good job in regards to gaining possession."
The Ephs will face Little Three rival Amherst on Saturday, April 23 1:00 PM on Gooding Field in Amherst, Massachusetts.
