Williamstown, MA — Williams College (1-3-0) hosted the #5 SUNY Geneseo Knights (9-2-0) in the Ephs home opener. In what was a hotly contested match for most of the game, four Geneseo goals in the third period would blow the game open as the Ephs fell by a score of 8-3.
Williams, coming off a difficult defeat last night at Babson, was in need of a fast start to this Sunday afternoon match. Their wishes would come true as much of the early possession and chances came the way of the Ephs. They would be rewarded for the hard work when
Ethan Prout fed
Connor Berg at the point. The defenseman fired the puck at the net and
Trevor O'Brien tipped it home to take a 1-0 lead. The next shift, however, Geneseo would answer with a goal of their own to tie the game. The Ephs would not let this slow them down as just a couple minutes later they would head on the power play. After several chances around the Knights' net,
Connor Tobin capitalized off the rush with assists from
Henry Muller and
Owen Stadheim. The Ephs headed to the locker room up 2-1.
Geneseo came out with vengeance in the second period, hungry to prove their nationally ranked status. Just two minutes into the frame, an unfortunate bounce off a Williams player would level the game at 2-2. Minutes later, already on the penalty kill, the Ephs would be handed a major (5-minute) penalty for hitting from behind. On the ensuing power play, the game flipped on its head. The scoring began with two rapid fire goals from Geneseo to take a 4-2 lead with a minute and a half remaining on the extended power play. The Ephs would find some positives from the infraction as
Jonah Gold received a pass from
David Vieten. The team's leading goal scorer would coolly finish to the goalie's five-hole to cut the deficit to 4-3.
Cal Sandquist would come up big late in the period to keep the game within one goal.
The Knights would make a statement in the third period, taking advantage of a beneficial bounce then a defensive lapse to open the lead to 6-3. The Ephs responded with several chances of their own, but could not find the back of the net. The Ephs had an opportunity to cut down the lead with a power play, but it would be Geneseo who would score short handed to make it 7-3. On the ensuing play, the Ephs would go a man down themselves. Geneseo would profit once again, extending the lead to five for a final score of 8-3.
Eph head coach
Bill Kangas noted after the game, "It is hard to feel good after a game that finished like this. We played well for parts of the game but against a good hockey team like Geneseo you need 60 solid minutes. We have a good opportunity to bounce back next weekend in league play.'
The Ephs host senior night for their ten upperclassmen this coming Friday night at 7pm versus Tufts University.
