Clinton, NY - A NESCAC showdown unfolded as the Williams College Ephs (7-4) looked to break their two-game losing streak against the Hamilton College Continentals (5-4). In a game brimming with strong defense and strategic passing, the Continentals pulled through due to a dominant third-quarter run, securing a hard-fought victory with a final scoreline of 12-7.
The opening quarter saw both teams fighting for the vital early lead. Hamilton quickly drew first blood, capitalizing on an early Eph turnover to notch the opening goal. Undeterred, Williams showcased their defensive prowess early on with credit to
Zoe Getzin who had a dominant game on the defensive end. Unfortunately for the Ephs, they found their usual shots instead of being goals they were gobbled up by the Hamilton goalie. Towards the end of the quarter, a free-position shot for
Meaghan Day tied the game up, yet Hamilton followed with one of their own, 2-1. With under fifteen seconds left in the quarter, Hamilton's quick thinking led to a goal and gave them a solid 3-1 lead as they went into the second.
In the second quarter, the Ephs refused to relent, with
Franny Donohue taking the Williams offense into her own hands and shrinking the game to a one-goal advantage. Thanks to
Anj Raman, the goalie back-and-forth continued in this quarter as well. What seemed to be a crushing goal by the Continentals, who earned a two-goal lead off a precise passing play, was met soon after by an Eph goal from
Katy McCullough off an assist from
Sasha Landau, 4-3 Hamilton.
Elsa Dean-Muncie capitalized on a yellow card on the Continentals for the woman-up goal to tie the game at four goals each. The dominant draw-control play by
Juliet Kilborn made it possible fthe Eph offense to maintain possessions. However, Hamilton would close out the half with one more of their own for the small 5-4 lead.
The long day and late travel must have caught up with Williams' roster as the story of the 3rd quarter was Hamilton outworking them on the offensive end. This started with a goal less than a minute in from Hamilton. Although
Abby Godwin returned soon after with a woman-up, free-position goal to bring the game to 6-5, this was the last goal before an Eph dry spell. The Eph defense did maintain; credit to
Reece Willison for her two caused turnovers, nonetheless, in under three minutes, Hamilton scored three goals. The first was a free-position goal, which has haunted the Ephs in their past handful of match-ups. Additionally, the second and third goals both came again off Continental passing plays, 9-5 Hamilton. Despite a few more shots on goal for the Ephs, none went in. Instead, Hamilton got another miracle, scoring a goal with literally a second on the clock for the secure 10-5 lead heading into the final quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Hamilton refused to take their foot off the gas coming out of the gates with yet another passing play leading to a goal. In what would be the dagger, the Continentals scored their final goal midway through the fourth off what would be their fifth assist of the night. The Ephs tried to mount a run but yet again the shots simply were not going in. Williams did make two more goals with a bit of time left, one from
Katy McCullough with an assist from
Meaghan Day and the other from
Lauren Morganlander which brought us to our final score of12-7 Hamilton victory.Â
Looking on the bright side, Eph head coach
Alice Lee reflected on the rise of multiple underclassmen players, including
Katy McCullough,
Jade Lowe,
Franny Donohue,
Meaghan Day, and first-years
Reece Willison and
Juliet Kilborn, stating, "They're competitors who bring a lot of punch to the team." These young players are certainly something to look forward to if you are a fan of the Ephs.
Though the result may not have favored them on this occasion, the Ephs continue their NESCAC games where they meet a strong Bowdoin College team at home on Saturday, April 13th at noon.
