WILLIAMSTOWN, MA - The Williams College Ephs (15-3, 9-1) edged past the Wesleyan Cardinals (12-6, 6-4) with a thrilling 3-2 victory in the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championships. With this win, the Ephs advance to the third round, scheduled for tomorrow at 1 pm on Williamson Field.
Williams demonstrated their offensive prowess early in the match, out shooting Wesleyan 8-7 and holding a defensive edge with five saves compared to Wesleyan's one. However, the Cardinals applied consistent pressure throughout the game, creating a tense contest.
Williams set the tone for the match with early control on the field. At 6:25, Williams' Anna Miller's shot was saved by Wesleyan's goalkeeper, Audrey Pace. This was quickly followed by a penalty corner from Pilar Torres at 6:55, leading to a blocked shot attempt by Claire Colvin at 7:04.
The breakthrough came at 11:09 when Meaghan Boehm netted the first goal for Williams, marking her seventh of the season. Less than a minute later, Kiki Higgins doubled the lead with her eighth goal of the season at 11:59. Higgins struck again shortly thereafter with an overhead shot at 12:55, giving Williams a commanding 3-0 lead. Despite late pressure from Wesleyan, including two penalty corners by Ava Galdenzi, the quarter ended 3-0 in favor of the Ephs.
Wesleyan began to push back, creating a more balanced second quarter offensively. At 18:08, Georgia Adams scored her 14th goal of the season, putting Wesleyan on the board. Williams countered with a penalty corner at 26:28 by Linda Bibeau, but a subsequent shot by Boehm was nullified. The half ended with Williams leading 3-1.
In the third quarter, he Cardinals increased their offensive pressure, resulting in a second goal by Georgia Adams at 35:48, assisted by Sydney Cameron, reducing Williams' lead to 3-2. Wesleyan continued to press, but Williams' goalkeeper Ellie Smith made key saves, including a crucial stop against Kenzie Mauro's attempt at 41:12. The quarter concluded with Williams clinging to their 3-2 lead.
The final quarter was a defensive battle, with both teams fighting to control possession. Williams' Meaghan Boehm saw her shot blocked at 45:03, while Eph goalie Ellie Smith made critical saves against Wesleyan's Helen Deretchin at 50:42 and Imani Ochieng at 57:42. Wesleyan made a last-ditch effort, pulling their goalie in hopes of forcing overtime, but the Ephs' defense held firm to secure the victory.
With the 3-2 win, Williams advances to the Third Round tomorrow and will play the winner of the Shenandoah Messiah game that followed.
