Middletown, CT – With the game tied at one between Williams College (6-13-1, 4-9-1) and Wesleyan University (13-5-2, 9-3-2), the Cardinals would net back-to-back breakaways to end the first period. Down 3-1 early in the game, the Ephs were unable to surmount the deficit and ultimately fell 4-2.
Similar to yesterday's performance against Trinity, the Ephs started the game on the front foot and looked for an early goal. Despite many chances in the opening minutes, Wesleyan would strike first after capitalizing on a turnover in the Ephs' zone. Williams would not let the goal slow their roll, and ten minutes later they would equalize. With the puck near the Cardinals' goal line, Nick Rashkovsky found
Jonah Gold streaking back post and the team-leading goal scorer would make no mistake.
The momentum would not last long, however, as the Cardinals fired home a breakaway chance 1:05 later. On the ensuing faceoff, Wesleyan found a hole in the Ephs' defense again, scoring an identical breakaway 11 seconds later.
Down 3-1, Williams needed a solid second period to regain some traction against the Cardinals. The next twenty minutes did not go to plan, as the Ephs would find themselves in the penalty box three times during the frame. While they were able to kill off each opportunity, Wesleyan would be awarded a goal before the end of the period, despite protest from the Ephs' camp.
Hungry for a goal to change their fate, Williams came out with renewed energy in the third. The team posted 33 shot attempts during the frame, however, they would only scratch back one goal when Nick Rashkovsky cashed in on a
Henry Muller shot. Coach
Bill Kangas had this to say after the game: "Today we were not able to string together all three periods. We had moments of hard forecheck and decent possession;
Evan Ruschil kept us in the game when the intensity dropped. Luckily, we have four regular season games remaining and have a great opportunity to turn it around next week against Middlebury."
The Ephs have a home-and-home weekend upcoming with Middlebury, beginning with a 7 PM home game at the Chap.
