Box Score Williamstown, MA—The Williams College Ephs beat the Union College Garnet Chargers 2-0 at home, and extended their early season win streak to five games.
The Ephs got off to a flying start as a handball in the box by a Union College defender sent Tate Michelson to the penalty spot, where he made no mistake, and put the Ephs up 1-0 in the second minute of the game.
From there, it was a tightly contested, fiery affair, with both sides demonstrating a real will to win.
Towards the end of the half, Kellan Grace '27 was brought down in the box after he beat his man along the end line, and Union College shoulders slumped a little when the second penalty was given. Sam Gibson '26, cheekily, sent his spot kick right down the middle, but the Garnet Chargers goalkeeper stayed stock still, and made the save. Revitalized, Union College went back on the attack, and the physical, offensive back and forth continued.
All told, the Ephs finished the half with 11 shots, three on target, while the Garnet Chargers managed six, forcing two saves.
In the second half, Williams gained a clear upper hand. It remained a highly physical contest, but the Ephs looked dominant, and Union was only able to eke out two looks at goal, both easily saved by Ben Diffley '24. The Ephs dominated possession, and found success attacking from the wings. Andrew Coelho '27 looked dangerous, and created more than a couple chances that might've been goals, if it weren't for errant attempts or solid saves from the Union College shot stopper.
In the 75' though, the first-year maestro found a way through, and slipped a ball to Evan Vasquez '26 for the tap in. The Ephs erupted in celebration, finally having a definitive grip on a very competitive game.
The rest of the contest passed without much further event, and the Ephs calmly, coolly, and collectedly moved to a perfect 5-0-0. Union College, for there part, fell to 2-4-1
Eph head coach Steffen Siebert, after the game, said, "What a battle. Union really came to play today, but our boys just got the job done. I am really proud, on a Tuesday afternoon, on beautiful Cole Field, with classes and all that stuff going on, that they were able to just leave it behind them and be ready to go get another W for the team."
This undefeated start is the Ephs' best since 2006 the Ephs opened the season with 10 consecutive wins.
All eyes will be turned to next weekend, where the Ephs host a NESCAC doubleheader, facing Colby and Bowdoin on Saturday and Sunday, respectively.
