Ephs Fall to Hamilton in Season Opener 1-0

WILLIAMSTOWN, MASS. -- Hamilton College (1-0-0/1-0-0 NESCAC) ranked 20^th nationally edged Williams (0-1/0-1 NESCAC) in the season opener for both teams
.
Williams forced two corners in the opening minutes and the second one by Jacquelin Nordhoff from the right of Hamilton goalie Nieve Tonna skimmed the cross bar and then glanced off a Williams player out of bounds.
 
Off a loose ball near the top of the box a hard shot Hamilton's Olivia Zubarik sent Eph goalie Leyla Kamshad diving to her right to knock ball away. Hamilton's Maddie Ledbury was able to collect the ball deflected by Kamshad and drive it into the net giving the Continentals a 1-0 lead at 5:30.
 
At 32:30 the Ephs' Sam Phan tested Tonna from 17 yards out to the goalie's right with a laser intended inside the far post, but Tonna was able to dive and punch the ball away.

 
Inside of 25 seconds left in the half Hamilton benefitted from an Eph turnover and Hyla Mosher came charging toward the goal with pressure from behind and her shot went just wide of the net on the right side keeping the game at 1-0.
           
The Continentals were held to just 3 shots in the first half, while Williams managed to fire off 7 shots, but only 2 were on goal.
 
Hamilton's Tonna notched 2 saves in the opening 45 minutes, while the Ephs' Kamshad recorded one save.
 
At 54:14 the Ephs Emma Lynch fired off a shot from about 16 yards to the left of Tonna that forced the Continentals' goalie to dive to the right to deny the goal and deflecting the ball out for a corner kick.
 
Moments later Sam Phan launched a left footed shot from 30 yards out to Tonna's left that forced the Hamilton keeper to leap and push the ball over the top of the goal frame with her left hand.
 
Hamilton's Tonna recorded 4 saves on the day, while the Ephs' Leyla Kamshad notched one save. Williams outshot the Continentals 16-3, but only managed to get 4 shots on the frame.
 
Eph head coach Sarah Raymond commented after the game, "It's a heartbreaking result to start with after a dominant performance on the field. So much to like and be excited about. We were a little nervous to start and unfortunately gave up a goal in that time frame. Once we settled we can see what we're capable of so it was great to see the ball movement and the chances we created. I know we are capable of taking the next step and putting those opportunities away and I know this will light a fire under us to find the back of the net this weekend."
 
This Saturday and Sunday the Ephs will compete in the College Cup in Manchester, Vt. where on Saturday at 1:00 PM they will play Castleton University and on Sunday at 1:00 PM they will take on Claremont Mudd Scripps.