Box Score MIDDLEBURY, VT– The 8th seeded Williams College Ephs fell to the #1 Middlebury College Panthers 2-0 away from home in the first round of the NESCAC postseason tournament.
The Ephs got their second look at the Panthers in four days after a Jordan Saint-Louis penalty was all that separated the two sides in a closely contested, 1-0 battle down on Cole Field last Tuesday.
The Ephs opened on the front foot, applying immediate attacking pressure, looking poised, and not allowing the Panthers much possession.
Momentum began to shift towards Middlebury at the 12 minute mark, as the Panthers won 5 corners in a matter of ten minutes, but the Ephs, mostly through the rapid Mohamed Keussom, continued to look dangerous from the counter attack.
First half action, over all, was fairly back and forth, with the Ephs finding four shots on target, building well from the back, and employing an effective press. Unfortunately for Williams, the scoreline at the break did not reflect this, as the Panthers headed into the second period up 2-0.
In the 21', from the long throw, the Panthers got their first goal. The ball was flicked on to the front of the six yard box, where it bounced, and Panther winger Gavin Randolph was the first to react, getting his head to it and powering it past the outstretched arms of Ben Diffley into the roof of the net.
Reacting well, the Ephs went out on the offensive following the reset, winning a foul at the very edge of the Panther penalty box in the 23', following a brilliantly worked counterattacking move. Unfortunately, the ball into the box never made it past the wall, and the opportunity ended up a goal kick for Middlebury.
Even worse for the Ephs, on the ensuing Panther's possession, they were able to work the ball across the midfield and play a 1-2 on the left side of the 18 yard box to a create a 1v1 with the keeper, where midfielder Eujin Chae finished through the five hole at the near post to double Middlebury's lead.
Still, the Ephs maintained their resolve, and finished the first half with a period of dominance. On a long throw of their own, in the 36', Griffin Labonski was able to flick the ball on, which fell to Kellan Grace in space, who saw his firm effort staunchly saved by the Panthers shot stopper.
In the 39', following some excellent passing and some trademark individual brilliance by Andrew Coelho down the right wing, the Ephs created another chance, as Panther 'keeper Ryan Grady just barely beat Keel Brissett to Coelho's low cross, creating a big collision in the process.
Eamon Gara-Grady added some defensive heroics to the offensive efforts of the final fifteen minutes of the first half, as he single-handedly disrupted a 3 v 1 counterattacking opportunity for the Panthers, expertly shepherding the ball back to the safe, capable feet of Ben Diffley. The half ended soon after.
Back in action following the break, the Ephs very much continued where they left off, piling the pressure on the Panthers.
Even two goals down, the Ephs looked poised and professional in their build up, dominating possession and goal-scoring opportunities. In the 58', Atticus Ross sent a ball into the box, and Griffin Labonski was able to win the header over the keeper, but the seeming entirety of Middlebury's back line was there to clear the ball away. By the 70', the Ephs had amassed five shots, although none of them hit the frame.
Rarely, in the first half hour of the second half, did the Ephs go long without the ball. Through a very impressive, high-intensity press, they were able to quickly win back the ball whenever they lost possession.
Tenacious on defense, Henry Kirkman was especially instrumental in denying Middlebury goal scoring opportunities, stifling any budding counter attacks before they could grow into something overly threatening.
As the half wore on, the Panthers were able to get their offense going a little, but the Ephs defense held firm, with Ben Diffley making three saves.
Ultimately, the Ephs couldn't get their goals, and the Panthers held on to win, 2-0, and advance in the NESCAC postseason tournament.
After the game, Coach Siebert praised his team's effort and hoped for further postseason opportunities: "Great game from both teams today. Very proud of how hard the team fought until the very end! We now cross our fingers and wait to hear if the selection committee rewards our great season with an at-large selection next Monday."
Williams will wait and see if they get a bid to NCAA postseason, but if this was the final game of the year, it was an exciting, rollercoaster ride for the Ephs, and one that bodes very well for the future.
