Purple Cows Draw vs. the Camels, 1-1

NEW LONDON, CT--The Williams College Ephs (6-2-2, 2-2-2 NESCAC) drew with the #21 Connecticut College Camels (7-0-3, 3-0-3 NESCAC) 1-1 in New London.

The Ephs almost scored early on as Felipe Gutierrez tore down the right wing and sent a ball to the far post. Dylan Kelemen was lying in wait but the keeper intervened, deflecting the ball nearly into his own net, but ultimately out of the path of the Eph's attacker. 

Soon after, in the 15', Connecticut College opened the scoring. From a free kick near mid field, the Camels sent a long ball into the milieu around the penalty spot. Ben Diffley came out to claim the ball, but was beaten to it by a Camel's glancing header, and the ball ended up in the back of the net. 

The half ended 1-0 in a very back-and-forth period of play, with the Ephs managing to create 5 shots compared to the Camels' 7. 

Possession was pretty evenly shared, with perhaps a slight advantage for the Camels who were happier to knock it around the back, while the Ephs looked to build their attacks more directly. 

In the second half, the Camels were able to replicate their 7 shots again, but the Eph's offense was somewhat stifled, and they managed only 1.

What a shot it was, though. Kellan Grace was released into the space on the right wing, where he played a dangerous looking cut back to Sam Gibson. Whether he made another pass or whether he had his shot deflected is debatable, but in either case the ball ended up within four feet of Andrew Coelho. Bad news for the Camels. Coelho leaped and lunged and got his right foot on the ball, sending it into the bottom left corner for the Eph's equalizer.

The Camels very much wanted to restore the lead, and went on the front foot, offensively, but the Ephs' stout defense was able to absorb most of the threat. Ben Diffley, with three saves in the half, did the rest. 

Eph head coach Steffen Siebert praised his squad after the game: "Fantastic game from the guys and I couldn't be more proud of the performance. Excited to be back on Cole next Saturday!"

Williams Men's Soccer fans can look forward to more NESCAC action next Saturday, when the Wesleyan University Cardinals come to town for a Senior Day celebration, and what is sure to be some scintillating soccer.