WILLIAMSTOWN, MA –– The Ephs started the match on the front foot for most of the first half, emphasizing through play on the wings, with both Tate Michelson and Mohamed Keussom heavily involved. Defensively, the midfield was quick to press Wesleyan in their own half, pouncing on every opportunity to pickpocket Wesleyan's pivot.
The first chance of the match came when Griffin Labonski sailed a volley toward the back right post and (after some time in the air), demanded a punch from the Wesleyan keeper, who parried it off of the post where it fell to Tate Michelson, whose rebound effort was blocked.
The Ephs' luck went from bad to worse when, in the 24th minute, the Ephs fouled on the edge of the box, leading to a Cardinal set piece. Zach Burns calmly took this free kick and slotted it into the bottom right after a bounce. 1-0 Wesleyan.
As always, the Ephs showed no quit and bounced back when Evan Vasquez picked the ball in the midfield, before finding Daniel Zhang through on the left channel, whose left foot cross was just headed out by Sam Gibson.
The Ephs had their own opportunity for a set piece goal, in the 32', but Andrew Coehlo put it just wide right.
The ensuing goal kick-started a period of alternating fast break moves, with neither team able to get their defenses fully set. Wesleyan looked as if they were in for a second goal, creating a 3v2 with a nice long ball, but Daniel Zhang did well to block the winger's in swinger and dispel the danger.
Andrew Coelho provided another highlight with 8 minutes remaining in the half, dropping his defender with a clean scissors move, and sending a ball into the box. Ultimately, nothing came of the opportunity, but Coelho's sideline heroics got the Ephs faithful to their feet.
The penultimate minute of the half was a stressful one for Williams, as Wesleyan was able to maintain possession in front of the 18, and sent shot after shot gtowards the goal. The Eph back line, in turn, bravely stood for block after block, and eventually were able to get the ball clear for a counter-attacking opportunity.
The second half saw more of the same well-contested, back-and-forth action. The physicality ramped up, as each team ensured the other felt their presence. Goal-scoring opportunities were few, as the ball rarely made it past the midfield. The Cardinals almost broke through in the 61', as they found space on the break following a long throw-in for the Ephs. Mohamed Keussom, though, tracking back from the left wing, put on the gas and tracked the Wesleyan attacker down, bringing the counterattack to an end with a glorious slide tackle.
In the 72', Atticus Ross found space at the top of the 18 and popped one toward the top left corner. The ball never quite got the dip it deserved and just grazed over the crossbar. Ross looked active the entire second half, seemingly omnipresent on defense–winning balls and pestering opposing midfielders—and generating positive, incisive play going the other way.
The Ephs offense began to get in gear in the 75', Andrew Coelho dispossessed a Cardinal on the left wing, and sent a cross ending in another Eph attempt just over the crossbar. At this point, the Cardinals sent every man back to defend, and both teams settled in for a siege-like end to the second half.
The Ephs continued to find space at the top of the 18 and sent several scorching shots toward the frame. The Ephs saw a volley narrowly miss the top right, and Kellan Grace slapped an effort the goalie had trouble hanging onto.
With such a dedicated team effort on offense, the Ephs left themselves a little exposed to the counterattack. After a misplaced free kick, the Cardinals looked certain to score, but Felipe Gutierrez did his best Keussom impression, and tracked all the way back, out-muscling his defender to regain the ball for the Ephs, and resume the pressure on the Cardinal's net.
Senior Captain and Keeper Mike Davis settled into the game well, and made a crucial save when the Cardinal's number 10 ripped a shot, seeking the bottom-left corner. But Davis got low and made the save with three minutes remaining.
The Ephs recorded one final opportunity with a minute remaining, seeing a threatening header saved low, as the Cardinals were able to hang on and see the clock out, securing the victory.
After the game, Eph head coach Steffen Siebert added, "Proud of the grit the guys showed today until the very end. Looking forward to another opportunity against a good Tufts team."
Unlucky to come away without the win today, the Ephs will be looking to bounce back tomorrow, when they play at Tufts at 2:30 p.m.
