WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. - A strong first half set the tone for the remainder of the game as the Williams College Ephs defeated the Smith College Pioneers 6-3 on WIlliamson Field.
It did not take long for the Ephs to get on the board as sophomore Anna Miller provided a beautiful pass for sophomore Kiki Higgins to place the ball in the back of the net. The Ephs took the early lead just three minutes into the game. The Pioneers responded right away as Callahan Day netted the equalizer two minutes after Williams took the lead. A quick reset and the Ephs again took a 2-1 lead thanks to a goal from senior Molly Hellman. Good defense leads to greater offense as Miller pick-pocketed a Pioneer defender, taking it up the final third of the field to give the Ephs a 3-1 lead just before the end of the first quarter.
With just one minute remaining in the second quarter, first year Madeline Rowland displayed her quick hands to place the ball into the back of the net. The Ephs led 4-1 at the half.
Hellman and Higgins linked up inside the circle to provide the 5th goal for the Ephs at the 40:53 mark. Off a penalty corner, sophomore Pilar Torres found first year Claire Colvin to give the Ephs a 6-1 heading into the final quarter.
Smith College's Caroline McShea provided the second goal for the Pioneers less than two minutes into the fourth quarter. A late and final goal came for the Pioneers making it 6-3 in favor of the Ephs with less than 2 minutes of play remaining.
On the night, the Ephs fired 28 shots with 22 on goal. The Pioneers fired 3 shots, all on goal.
"We'll take it," stated Eph head coach Alix Barrale after the game. "I thought we hustled and played hard from start to finish. It was great that everybody got in and contributed. Smith is a good and fast team. They snuck in two goals in the fourth quarter, but we held the lead and I think that is good for us to have to practice in those defensive situations. Overall so proud of how hard we played, how well and focused we were, and it's a nice way to bounce back after playing Babson.
Up next for the Ephs is their first conference match of the season, taking on the Bates College Bobcats. The contest is set to take place on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 AM in Lewiston, Maine.
