Box Score WATERVILLE, MAINE– The Ephs fall short against the Colby College Mules in Maine this Sunday afternoon as the Ephs move to (2-4) in NESCAC play. Despite some great attacks and strong defense in the third quarter, the Ephs were unable to spark a comeback against the Mules.
The Mules opened the score at the 11:34 mark in the first quarter thanks to a pass over the goal from Gianna Bruno to Annie Eddy. Hallie Schwartzman took advantage of the man-up situation and free-position opportunity to add to the Mules' lead. The Mules added two more goals to their tally courtesy of a goal from Gianna Bruno and Annie Eddy's second of the game. A low shot from Madison Fulcher-Melendy from a free position got the Ephs on the board with just under six minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Grace Collier brought the Ephs within two after an excellent shot beat the Colby net-minder. Right before the end of the first quarter, a chaotic moment ended in a goal for the Mules scored by Ally Franz despite a great first save from Ephs' goalie Caitlyn Joyce. The Ephs had the last word with eight seconds remaining in the quarter after Shea van Den Broek fired an unreal shot from a free position that brought the Ephs within two.
The Mules only needed thirty seconds to reinstate their three-goal lead as Julia Jardina was able to get past the Ephs' defense and find the back of the net. The Ephs' response time was only a few seconds as Claudia Russell blew by the Mules' defense and ripped a shot into the side netting.
The back and forth story of the second quarter continued when Annie Eddy and Gianna Bruno linked up yet again, and then Isabel Arvelo found Christina Halloran, who scored a beautiful goal. However, the Mules regained their three-goal lead thanks to an Ally Franz goal. Despite an incredible save from Caitlyn Joyce, the Mules took a four-goal lead before halftime after Annie Eddy and Gianna Bruno found eachother again.
The second half opened with Julia Jardina's second goal of the game, which brought the score 10-5 in favor of the Mules. Gianna Bruno got her second of the game at the eight-minute mark, which added to the Mules' lead. Grace Toner scored with 3:41 left in the third quarter, which established a seven-goal lead for the Mules. Isabel Arvelo beat the clock after a spectacular spin move opened up a shooting space for her, and she took the opportunity and cut the deficit to six for the Ephs going into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter began similarly to the previous three quarters, with the Mules getting on the board first courtesy of a goal from Elizabeth Hennessey. Ally Franz added another one from a free position to take a 14-6 lead. Claudia Russell got one back for the Ephs with 5:45 remaining in the game, but the Mules responded a minute later with a free-position goal. The game finished 15-7 in favor of the Mules.
"We had some great stops and we did a great job of locking down some of those kids and in the end it was just about executing on our offensive opportunities" Head Coach Alice Lee stated after the loss.
The Ephs will look to bounce back at Western Connecticut State on Wednesday, April 13th, at 6:30 PM.
