Box Score Williamstown, MASS –– After a battle throughout all 110 minutes of regulation and extra time, the Williams College Ephs (6-1-10, 4-1-5 NESCAC) and Connecticut College Camels (7-5-5, 3-5-2 NESCAC) drew 0-0, though the Camels advanced 5-4 through PKs.
The returning national and NESCAC champs were never going to be an easy matchup, but the Ephs held their own and arguably dominated the majority of the game. It was a better showing against the Camels than last time out, when the Ephs were handed their lone loss of the regular season, 1-0.
From the get go, the referees allowed a high degree of aggression as both teams sought to advance to the NESCAC championship, keeping his whistle silent even as the tackles and collisions intensified
In the 33rd minute, after some nifty tiki-taka passing through the middle, Cole Morriello played Mo Keussom into space on the right wing. His low cross found an Ephs' foot, but was deflected out for a corner.
On the ensuing chance, the Ephs' Henry Kirkman almost caught Peter Silvester, the Camels' keeper, out with a no-look, over the head effort that ultimately crept just over the bar.
Minutes later, Connecticut's Roman Dutkewych sent a furious header off the crossbar and out for a goal kick. Ben Diffley looked like he might've saved it, but made a threatening effort against the Ephs' defense.
In the first half, a back and forth affair with Williams having a slight edge in quality of possession and dangerous chances created. The Ephs had no issue stringing together passes in the first half, culminating in plenty of scoring opportunities.
In the second half, the Ephs' edge turned to outright dominance. They knocked repeatedly, for long stretches, at Connecticut College's door. Whenever the Camels were able to get it back, it seemed, they immediately gave it back away.
For example, after the ball fell fortuitously to Keel Brissett at the penalty spot, and his effort was saved, the ball was won back within seconds, and sent back out to Henry Osborn on the left flank. Osborn settled the ball and squared it to an open Gibson, whose header narrowly went over the frame.
Minutes later, Gibson showcased his defensive guile with a crunching block to deny the camels a crossing opportunity, and the Ephs had the ball again.
Regulation ended without event, and we went into extra time at 0-0.
Extra time saw a revival for the Camels, who carved out the majority of the chances in the period.
In the 105' Camels had a dangerous break, three streaking attackers bearing down on three backpedaling defenders and winger Jorge Mendo arriving, unmarked, from the right wing. Tate Michelson, tracking all the way back from the opposing 18, slid in and saved the day at the very last possible moment.
Big Ben Diffley made a couple solid, stiff saves, most notably to deny a low effort in the 109', to deny the camels, keep the game scoreless, and send us to penalty kicks.
To begin the shootout, Seibert made a change at goalie, and subbed Senior Michael Davis in for Diffley.
Tate Michelson was the first to shoot, and he sent the keeper the wrong way, putting the ball in the bottom left corner.
The Camels matched him, and the next two kick-takers scored, too.
Nathan Song, hero of the quarter-final, with the third penalty, saw his effort rebound out off of the left post, and all of a sudden the Camels had the upper hand.
The Ephs didn't miss again, but the Camels didn't waver, and Junior Jack Marvel, with the final kick of the game, gave Connecticut College the victory, prevailing 5-4 on penalties.
The Camels advance to the NESCAC finals where they will face the winner of the Amherst - Middlebury game.
As for the Ephs, they will continue to keep their fingers crossed, hoping for a place in the large NCAA Division III postseason tournament. In the words of Eph head coach Steffen Siebert: "Incredibly proud of the guys, one of the best performances of the year. We knew we were going to play a great team, the national champions from last year. We created many many many opportunities, which had them struggling. In the end we couldn't put them in, and now we are hoping to see what will happen in Monday's selection." The DIII Men's Soccer Selection Show will air Monday, November 7 at 1:30 PM on NCAA.com.
