WATERVILLE, ME - The Ephs (7-0, 4-0 NESCAC) continued their dominant run this season with a 2-0 win against Colby College (4-3, 1-3 NESCAC) this Saturday. The victory marks the Ephs' fourth NESCAC win of the season, keeping them undefeated and highlighting their hard work on both ends of the field and ranking the team as #3 this week in the National Field Hockey Coaches Association National Poll.
Williams out shot Colby 12-2 and accumulated more penalty corners earning 13 to Colby's 8. Despite several blocked shots and saves by Colby's goalkeeper Leah Anderson, the Ephs' persistence ultimately broke through, winning the game 2-0.
Williams started the first quarter of the match strong, with an early penalty corner by Claire Colvin at 7:42, leading to a blocked shot by Laura Ryan. Just moments later, Kiki Higgins' shot was saved by Colby's goalkeeper. However, at 9:06, Higgins found the back of the net, scoring her second goal of the season to put Williams ahead 1-0. The Ephs continued to press, earning another penalty corner at 9:41, but Colby's defense held firm as a shot by Pilar Torres was blocked, ending the first quarter with Williams in the lead, 1-0.
The Ephs came on the field restored for the second quarter, firing three shots within the first two minutes from Kiki Higgins and Haley McAuslin, but Colby's defense stayed resilient. Williams earned another penalty corner at 17:20 and continued to pepper Colby's goal with shots, but Anderson made crucial saves, including one on a shot by Laura Ryan at 27:52. Despite their dominance in possession and offensive pressure, the score remained 1-0 heading into halftime.
Much like the second quarter, the third quarter saw Williams controlling the play and creating several scoring opportunities, but both defenses remained solid. Multiple shot attempts from the Ephs were blocked or saved, and the quarter ended without any changes to the scoreboard, keeping it 1-0 in favor of Williams.
Williams' relentless pressure finally paid off in the final quarter. After earning two penalty corners in quick succession, one by McAuslin at 50:07 and another by Higgins at 51:58, the third penalty corner was decisive. At 51:52, Pilar Torres netted Williams' second goal, assisted by Kiki Higgins and Natalia Nolan, securing the 2-0 lead. The Ephs' defense held strong, preventing any late push from Colby.
Eph head coach
Alix Barrale said, "We played really well as a whole. We generated a lot of offense but had a little trouble finishing in front of the net. Our defensive corner unit was outstanding with Ellie making a few crucial saves and Pilar's defensive save was out of this world."
With this win, the Ephs extended their undefeated season and their outstanding defense has not allowed a  goal in 420 minutes. Next up, they face Bowdoin College tomorrow at noon in Brunswick, Maine, for their fifth NESCAC match of the season.
Â
