Williams Takes Down Little 3 Rival Wesleyan in Nailbiter

Williamstown, Mass. - Wesleyan had its fair share of opportunities, but couldn't grab the lead throughout the game as the Ephs clipped the Cardinals' wings on Williamson Field. Williams adds one to the win column to make them 4-1 on the year and 1-1 in NESCAC in early season action. Wesleyan is now 2-2 and 0-2 in NESCAC play.  
 

The Ephs set the tone early with a shot on goal by Emily Batchelor. Wesleyan showed they were up to the task as #14 Dani Dittmann stopped a few breakaway opportunities. With 3:18 to go in the first quarter, a Siobhan Morrisey attack forced a penalty corner. Shea van den Broek scored off an assist by Catherine Torres, sending the ball to the top right corner of the cage past the outstretched arm of Caitlin Grant, the Wesleyan goalkeeper. Since Grant saved 6 out of 8 shots, Van den Broek later noted how "the penalty corners... were clutch for us".


 

The Cardinals didn't take much time to respond, as less than 2 minutes later, Ava Galdenzi capitalized on a penalty corner of her own. There were multiple shots on goal by Grace Kohn, pulling Carson Stephenson out of position and creating the opening.
 

The turning point came when the Ephs forced another corner with 6:25 left in the first half. Jacqui Sandor initiated the offense, sending a pass to Catherine Torres and creating a set shot that split the defenders for the second goal in the half. Torres mentioned how "playing our game" and "making sure... we were setting the pace" were important elements in executing the gameplan.
 

The Ephs never let go of that tenuous one goal lead. The second half was back and forth, with neither team able to organize a complete attack. Diana Schwarz and Dittmann were both crucial for the Cardinals in preventing any Eph from scoring. Schwarz used her speed throughout the game to apply pressure on Williams' defense. However, late in the game, Williams stayed strong, working the ball around on the offensive side and consistently taking possession away from the Cardinals. Endurance was a key factor in the win. Reflecting on the heat, Torres said, "we did a good job of playing through... having that mental toughness".