MEDFORD, MASS. – The Williams women's soccer team (0-1-1 NESCAC) came up short today at Tufts University on Bello Field, losing 1-0 to the Jumbos (1-0-0 NESCAC). The lone goal came in the 33rd minute from forward Liz Reed.
Reed, a constant threat during the first half, finished what had been a sustained attack by the Jumbos. After advancing past the Ephs midfield line, Jumbos midfielder Claire Wilkinson received the ball deep in the Ephs half, driving down what remained of the left flank towards the end line. After cutting the ball back, she slotted a pass to unmarked forward Liz Reed, who placed the ball past the Ephs keeper,
Chelsea Taylor ('22).
The goal took the air out of the Williams side, who were struggling to find an offensive spark all half. "I think we struggled to settle early in the game and play to our strengths," said Eph head coach
Sarah Raymond.
The Ephs relied heavily on lofted balls over the Jumbos backline for forwards Bri Binder ('23) and
Sam Phan ('24) to run onto, but the Jumbos were quick to shut these opportunities down. The Ephs rounded out the first half with just two shots on goal.
Williams came out aggressively at the start of the second half, shutting down Tufts offensive opportunities, but struggling to create many of their own.
Two times early on, midfielder
Shae Rashoff ('23) received the ball on the left flank, 25 yards out from goal, and launched shots that sailed just high and wide of goal. Then, with less than ten minutes to go, the Ephs were awarded a corner. Defender
Liz Girvan ('23) stepped up to take it, driving a ball into the box, but the Jumbos defense aggressively headed the ball away from goal.
The Ephs finished the second half with three shots compared to the Jumbos' six.
"I was happy with play in the second half. We started to play the way we can, but we weren't consistent," Raymond said. "It was a good growing moment for us. I'm excited for us to put more minutes together at the game tomorrow."
Williams will have a chance to get their first win tomorrow when they travel to Castleton (Vt.) State University for a 12 PM contest.
