Newport News, VA – The Williams College Ephs (4-3), far from home in Southern Virginia, came up short against a powerful Christopher Newport University Captains team (12-0) off an explosive game from sophomore Andrew Cook. An early 6-0 lead would prove insurmountable for the Ephs who were defeated 15-2.
Williams would finally break through and end the Captain's run on a play that all started from one of
Matt Freitas' big first half saves. On the ensuing clear, Williams would work the ball well to outpace the pressure from CNU and found a wide open
Pearse Glavin who calmly finished.
The Ephs continued their solid transition play as they would add another late before the end of the half. Reminiscent of their first goal, Freitas would clear the ball to a streaking
Bjorn Davidson who quickly dumped it off to Glavin, finishing his second of the night. The Ephs would enter the locker room down 7-2, but with momentum thanks to a heroic half for Freitas, putting up 12 saves on 19 shots.
The Captains were quick to snuff the danger as they would bounce back early and often to start the third frame. They would add 4 goals in the opening seven minutes, two off the stick of Andrew Cook, tallying 5 on the day, and 33 on the season.
Williams would control more possession than the previous two quarters, however, the sizable CNU defensive held strong as Williams could not crack the Captains' netminder Zac Hanway who only allowed 2 goals on 19 Williams College shots. Offensively, CNU would add a few more in the fourth quarter to end the game 15-2.
Coach
George McCormack remained optimistic saying, "Today was an opportunity to play against one of the better teams in the country and there's no question that we will learn and grow from the experience". The Ephs will look to bounce back Saturday in a big NESCAC clash on the road at Bates College.
