Box Score Worcester, MA – The first half of the match was largely a battle of possession, and while the Ephs turned it up in the final 25 minutes of the match, they were held 0-0.
Perhaps tired from their amazing win yesterday at Amherst, the Ephs started slowly. It would be a wait until the 18th minute for the games first shot. While a free kick from deep and off to the side is never particularly threatening, you never know when captain
Jaquelin Nordhoff steps up to take it. Her shot was close enough to make the goalkeeper think but flew over the net.
The game's slow start can also be attributed to smart defending from Clark, who came into the game ready and did not let Williams play their game. A 20th minute corner for Clark was headed wide, with their first and only opportunity of the game going unrewarded.
In a two-minute span later in the half, forward
Brianna Wright looked incredibly threatening, forcing two good saves from Clark 'keeper Anabella White. One shot over the bar in the 39th minute by
Piper Dupies would be the last of the half.
Williams improved after the break, with
Mirabai Dyson having a nice shot saved to bring White's tally on the night to three. The Ephs really turned it on with 25 minutes to go. This change was announced by what might have been the game's closest opportunity. Picking up the ball,
Shae Rashoff fired her shot which nearly went in but hit the crossbar, keeping Clark alive.
The last 10 minutes of the game saw Williams' pressure mount, with the ball barely leaving Clark's half. It seemed however that it was not to be for the Ephs, as a multitude of crosses simply did not come off, either ending in a scramble in the box, a Clark clearance, or a shot wide.
The final whistle blew to end a disappointing game. It speaks volumes to the quality of this Williams team that a tie seems like such a defeat. The Ephs' attacking pressure in the final moments of the game was immense, and Clark will go home happy with the result.
"Today was one of those letdown games that happen after a huge result yesterday that took a lot out of us both physically and emotionally. I think we still competed with heart, more so in the second half, but we didn't necessarily use our brains as well as we needed to today. All credit to Clark, they had a game plan and made it extremely difficult for us. It's a good learning moment to show us where we can improve on our technical execution and make tactical adjustments within the flow of the game. The positive is that we defended well and did not give up a goal and now we will just turn our attention to our next NESCAC game against Conn on Saturday," said Coach
Sarah Raymond when asked for comments post-game.
The Ephs will reset and put their minds on next week's game against Connecticut College in New London, CT.
