MIDDLEBURY, VT – With an aggressive showing from both teams, Williams College (10-3-2, 7-2-1) beat Middlebury College (10-4-1, 5-4-1) 1-0. Both teams are ranked nationally, the Williams Ephs sitting at 13
th and the Middlebury Panthers at 20
th.
The only score of the game came from junior
Claire Tolliver in the 16
th minute of the second half. Seniors
Tess Belnap and
Emma Lynch combined to produce the goal. Belnap bringing the ball down the field and Lynch controlling a rebound off the Panthers' defense that Tolliver handled, sending it to the top left of the goal.
Defense showed out on both sides today, preventing each other's offense from keeping consistent possession and keeping the game at a quick pace. Junior
Ava Simunovic was everywhere on the field, beating the Midd offense to the ball in the box and jumping on opportunities to send the ball up for the Ephs' offense.
Williams led the game in shots, 13 to Midd's 10, with 8 of those shots on goal. Lynch took several strong shots from the top of the box, missing just high each time. Sophomores
Meredith Tutun and
Tori Huang were relentless in the midfield, using their speed to keep the ball in the Ephs attack.
After commenting on the team goal to come into away games with more intensity, head coach
Sarah Raymond was thrilled with the performance today; "What a great way to finish the regular season and put together a great game on the road which has been a challenge for us this year. So happy for the team to go into the play-offs with confidence, and what a screamer from Claire!"
Williams ended their regular season with this win against NESCAC opponent Middlebury, and will continue their play this Saturday, October 29
th, in the NESCAC Quarterfinals. Hosts and opponents will be announced soon by the NESCAC.
