Middletown, CT: Today marked the long-awaited NESCAC battle between Williams and Wesleyan a Little 3 rivalry. Coming off a strong 3-game winning streak, the Ephs knew they were in for a competitive and fast-paced game versus the Cardinals. Eph head coach Alice Lee stated, "It's always a good game when two great NESCAC teams go against each other."
As expected, the game was a back and forth fight with numerous ties and goal swings throughout the four quarters. Even with their intense defensive pressure and dynamic attack, the Ephs struggled with penalties mid-game, ultimately losing 16-12.
The game started with a strong possession by the Ephs and an unassisted finish by Claudia Russell at the two-minute mark. Wesleyan responded with a three-goal response at the end of the first quarter. The Ephs quickly stepped up on the draw, with aggressive draw control tactics spread across the roster. Important self-draws by Juliet Killborn and ground balls by Abby Godwin curating a three-goal rebound to tie the game 4-4. Despite Williams' strong efforts, Wesleyan created a lead by capitalizing on free position shots, ending the half up 10-6.
Entering the second half, Williams intensified their efforts to bridge the four-point deficit, forging notable connections on the offensive end. In a quick exchange of goals, both teams showcased offensive prowess, with Gracie Collier, Meaghan Day, and Sasha Landeu notching crucial scores to keep the Ephs in the contest heading into the final quarter.
The fourth quarter witnessed Williams shut down defense, with Grace Maffei stepping up as a lockdown face guard, generating Eph momentum to notch a 12-12 tie. However, quick ground ball pick-ups and topside dodges by the Cardinals allowed Wesleyan to pull away at the end of the fourth to post a 16-12 victory.
Following the game, Coach Lee commended her team's resilience and adaptability: "I'm proud of our team for how we competed and adjusted along the way." Goalie Caroline Pratt echoed this sentiment, affirming, "We competed with Wesleyan until the final whistle and left everything on the field."
The Ephs are gearing up to regain their winning momentum as they hit the road next Friday to take on Trinity.
