Williamstown, MA – In a fantastic showing from both sides, Williams College (8-2-1) defeated Massachusetts Institute of Technology (10-3-1) by a final score of 2-1. Both schools are nationally ranked, Williams jumping from unranked to 11
th and MIT sitting at 19
th heading into this game.
The Ephs dominated with energy in the first half, creating numerous offensive opportunities with many solid shots. Senior
Tess Belnap was determined on the attack, creating phenomenal chances to score, and taking some shots herself. The first goal of the game came in the 20
th minute with Belnap sending the ball up the field to sophomore
Claire Tolliver, who shot it hard enough to hit off the goalie's leg and still go in.
MIT retaliated later that half in the 36
th minute off a ball sent into the box and not cleared out in time by Williams. The Ephs did not let up as junior
Jaquelin Nordhoff taking charge to keep the game in Williams' control delivered a hard ball from far outside the box that MIT goalie Ava Gillikan punched out.
Both teams returned for the second half with intensity. A handball in the box gave MIT a penalty kick in the 46
th minute that senior goal keeper
Leyla Kamshad cleanly saved. Junior
Shae Rashoff played a relentless game, not giving up on pressuring the Engineers' offense and converting their attempts into Williams possessions.
With 10 minutes remaining in the game, senior
Emma Lynch clinched the win. The final part of an active play, multiple Ephs took shots that the MIT defense deflected until Lynch jumped on the ball and with one touch belted it into the upper left corner of the net. Williams finished the game with even higher energy, preventing MIT from creating any chances to come back.
Eph head coach Sarah Raymond stated, "I was quite honestly blown away by our team's performance today. With the injuries in our back line we had to juggle positionally, and everyone made that work. We stuck to our defensive game plan which helped us win balls and transition into attack immediately. Across the board the players rose to the occasion to put together our most complete performance this year. It was so fun to watch them play for each other and put together another fantastic back-to-back weekend. We are having fun competing this year first and foremost which leads to these great outcomes."
This season the Eph women's team has also beaten nationally ranked Tufts University currently ranked 18th and Amherst College and currently ranked 22
nd respectively.
Williams will be back in action next Saturday, October 15
th, playing Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT.
