Williamstown, MA –– In a riveting afternoon matchup against the Western Connecticut State Wolves, the Ephs emerged triumphant with a terrific team performance, sealing a 2-1 victory. The secret to their success? A stalwart defense anchored by the dynamic duo of centerbacks Eamon Gara Grady and Griffin Labonski, who not only guarded their goal but also contributed to the team's two scores.
The Ephs' first chance of the game came in the 15th minute when Tate Michelson found himself in a 1v1 against the Western Connecticut keeper. David Wang delivered the ball into the path of Michelson, whose effort was saved by an outstretched goalie. Unlucky.
Only six minutes later, the Ephs were rewarded for their offensive effort. Again, the play involved Michelson, who passed a left-sided free kick to Sam Gibson, whose shot was deflected before it fell to the omnipresent Gara Grady, who poked it in for the 1-0 lead and his second goal of the season.
After taking the lead, the Ephs' midfield and defensive lines were stout to any adversarial advancement and pressed Western Connecticut deep in their own half. Unfortunately, an in-swinging ball from just over the halfway line found Kent Eannarino who, with fantastic technique, bicycle-kicked the ball from the 18-yard line, over the outstretched Ben Diffley. Credit to Eannarino, that's a sure candidate for the DIII goal of the season.
Still resolute in their game plan after conceding, the Ephs continued to press hard and try to force errors in the offensive end. Heading into the halftime, however, the score was 1-1. The Ephs had tallied 13 shots and 1 save to the Wolves 8 shots and 3 saves.
The Ephs were eager to take the lead once the second half began. In the 53rd minute, Labonski found himself on the right flank, before he curled a cross in to Henry Kirkman, who flashed to the near side of the box. Kirkman brought the ball down, but did not hesitate before half-volleying his effort across the goal and through a sea of WCSU defenders. A fantastic strike that put the Ephs up 2-1.
In the 58th minute, a tense moment unfolded as an Western Connecticut player managed to slip through the defense, but Labonski stepped in with a clutch tackle to force the ball out for a corner.
The Ephs were oh-so-close to doubling their lead in the 71st minute after (another) header by Gara Grady, fell to Atticus Ross, who volleyed it off the post and then saw his follow-up effort saved by the keeper.
This late in the game, the Ephs' attack was unrelenting, and opportunities were plentiful. Only four minutes after Ross' rebound was saved, Kirkman, was inches away from a brace after his header flew past the post into the hands of the goalie Zach Benson.
The last chance of the game came when Gibson slalomed through his opponents and looked sure to double the Ephs lead, but his effort was blocked by a remarkable last-ditch tackle by Nikolas Chevres. Unlucky not to score, but an incredible effort in the dying minutes of the match.
The Ephs will be proud of their performance today, registering 19 shots on the evening, with seven being on target. Though unable to keep the clean sheet, the defense was resilient against Western Connecticut's occasional attacks, often blocking shots and breaking down counterattacks. Diffley, as always, had a great game with 5 saves.
After the game, Eph head coach Steffen Siebert lauded his players' intensity and energy: "Very happy for the team that they rewarded themselves for all the work they put into the game! Couldn't be prouder of the resilience shown after Western Connecticut scored."
The Ephs will look to build on this victory when they face Trinity College at home on Saturday.
