Williamstown, MA – Despite taking 22 shots and delivering nearly countless crosses, the Ephs were beaten by a strong MIT team at Cole Field, 1-0. Both teams used their width to create, with a majority of the game's chances coming from crosses.
The Ephs played an aggressive, attacking brand of soccer from the start. Crosses from
Bria Abbiati and
Tori Huang in the first five minutes barely evaded their targets.
In the 13th minute, the Engineers had a chance from a cross of their own. It bounced over multiple MIT and Williams players before
Ava Simunovic was able to collect it and clear. After a few nearly successful crosses from both teams, MIT had a close chance through forward Ashley English. Dribbling past her mark, she fired a strong shot over
Margaret Huelin's net.
Huang was involved in two great chances for the Ephs in the 33rd and 34th minute.
Meredith Tutun had dribbled down to the end line and delivered a cross to Huang who turned and shot. MIT 'keeper Morgan Everett got down to make a save. A minute later, Huang headed a
Piper Dupies corner to
Isabel Konijnenberg, who hit the post with her shot.
In the 37th minute, defender
Sam Brown made a great tackle, stopping an MIT forward from dribbling into the box.
MIT engineered their goal less than a minute into the second half. Kaitlin Zareno took the ball down the line and squared the ball to Meagan Rowlett, who swooped in and sent a perfect chip over Huelin.
In the 47th and 48th minutes, the Ephs had another pair of crosses from
Jaquelin Nordhoff and Blakely Buckingham fell into the box with nobody at the end of them. In the 59th minute, Huang headed a Dupies cross at goal, but her shot was saved.
Nordhoff was given a free kick when
Brianna Wright was fouled near the top of the box. She was able to hit the target, but Everett was equal to it.
The game drew to a close, with the Ephs never losing their fight. Creating chances was not a problem, but scoring proved to be.
Asked for comments after the game, Eph head coach Raymond said: "Just really proud of our bounce back from yesterday. The effort and performance that we put together was great. We played the way we're capable and came in with fire. We were able to dictate the game today. I felt that in the last couple of games the game was dictated to us. It was time for us to just find that next level and we did. The outcome hurts because obviously we had so much of the game and created so much. We took 22 shots… only seven on frame. Those are areas that we have to be more ruthless in. It's hard."
The Ephs will look to get back to winning ways next week Saturday at Cole Field vs Wesleyan.
