Box Score Medford, MA – On a brisk night in Boston, the Williams College Ephs (5-4, 4-2) hit the road to face the undefeated, #2 Tufts University (10-0, 5-0). Despite an early four goal advantage, the scrappy Ephs would see the game slip away late as they fell 14-11 off the back of a fourth quarter Tufts surge.
A heated NESCAC rivalry was sure to bring an intense first quarter as the two teams both reached for the lead.
Nick Bates would draw the opening goal for the Ephs, but Tufts would answer just ten seconds later to nullify the score. Bates would add his second just minutes later before
Harrison Cross would score to put the Ephs up 3-1. Tufts would fire back two of their own to tie the game, but
Zachary Romrell would have the last laugh in the opening frame. A quick head fake would have the goalie guessing before he finished high to retake a 4-3 Ephs lead.
Williams would come out to a dream start in the second quarter as
Will Doran dictated the offense. He assisted on
Ryan Johnson's goal before scoring two of his own to set the Ephs ahead 7-3 on the #2 ranked team in the nation. The Jumbos would flex their muscles in the subsequent two minutes as they would score four goals to tie the game at seven. The Ephs were hungry for more and regained some momentum as Doran would score his third of the quarter before
Calvin Caputo would put the exclamation point on the half, Ephs up 9-7.
After an immediate goal from Tufts, it would take another twelve minutes to see any scoring action as the two teams jostled for control. It would be the Jumbos who would strike next, tying the game at nine.
Calvin Caputo would not let them be content, however, as he would score just a minute later to retake a 10-9 lead. Tufts would get one final say as they would bury a late third quarter chance to level the game heading into the final quarter.
Tufts would bury an opportunity just twelve seconds into the quarter to take their first lead since the first frame.
Pearse Glavin would provide Williams' response as the game would re-enter a tie at 11-11. Unfortunately, the remainder of the game would belong to the Jumbos as they would add three goals in the last ten minutes to squeeze past the Ephs 14-11.
After the game, Coach
George McCormack said "We always find out the most about ourselves when we compete on the road against strong programs. These games prepare us for the challenges that lie ahead on our schedule. Overall, the defense played well tonight and our entire team competed for four quarters."
The Ephs are on the road again this Saturday at 1PM against Babson College.
