Clinton, NY – In a tight NESCAC matchup with playoff implications, the Williams College Ephs (6-7, 4-4) and the Hamilton College Continentals (7-4, 4-4) saw five lead changes before the Continentals would pull away late to defeat the Ephs 7-5.
After
Jake Haase would put the Ephs up early in the game, Hamilton would steadily fight back to even the score before the end of the first frame. They would then come out swinging in the second quarter as the Continentals would strike just 45 seconds in. They would tally another a few minutes later to extend their lead to two, while holding the Ephs offense quiet.
Calvin Caputo would get the ball rolling with just two seconds left in the half as
Bjorn Davidson would find him open for the buzzer beating score.
The first half was a defensive display as each team would only tally 15 shots. Both goalies stood tall as they game wore on, with Williams netminder
Matt Freitas collecting six saves in the game. Coach McCormack spoke about the defense saying, "Our close defenders, our defensive middies, as well as our goalie clearly kept us in the game and did a great job overall".
The Ephs came out hot in the third, as
Harrison Cross would tie the game and Haase would give the Ephs the lead, with both unassisted goals coming in the first five minutes of the half. Hamilton would respond just a minute later, before reestablishing their lead just halfway through the frame.
Tim Saffold would bury off a feed from Haase to put the Ephs within striking distance, however, they were unable to find the equalizer despite hitting the target nine times in the fourth quarter. The Continentals would add one late to seal the game, bringing both teams level at a 4-4 record in the NESCAC.
Williams will look to right their wrongs as a quick turnaround pits them against the Wesleyan University Cardinals in a pivotal NESCAC matchup. The Ephs will return home to defend Farley-Lamb Field at 2:00PM on Sunday.
