Waterville, Maine – The Ephs held on for a great 1-0 victory away at Colby on the first leg of their Maine weekend. A 55
th minute goal from
Tori Huang and great goalkeeping from
Margaret Huelin and
Ana Bozzi-Mackay were enough for the three points.
Huelin was called into action almost immediately as Colby came out of the gates strong. In the second minute, she came out to make a crucial save with her legs when a Colby forward looked certain to score.
Williams grew into the game, with
Bria Abbiati,
Brianna Wright, and
Sam Phan all getting good shots off in the first twenty minutes. The rest of the first half was largely quiet and the game went into the break at a deadlock.
Ten minutes into the second half, Williams found the go-ahead goal.
Bria Abbiati cut back to her right foot on the left wing and delivered a perfect curling cross into the center of the Colby box.
Tori Huang made the late run into the box, arriving alone and firing into the net for 1-0.
Bozzi-Mackay made some crucial saves midway through the haft, diving to her left for one and getting out to punch a corner away a play later. As Colby piled on the pressure looking for an equalizer, Williams held strong.
Lily Mark nearly made it two in the 68
th minute, getting great contact on a looping Huang cross but volleying just wide.
In the last ten minutes, Bozzi-Mackay prevented the mules from getting over the line, saving a header in the 83
rd minute. The Williams defense and midfield did a great job keeping Colby away for most of the game.
Kianna Porter was especially destructive at defensive midfield.
After the game, coach
Sarah Raymond said: "Good win on the road against a vastly improved Colby team. I thought both teams had good moments but Tori's composed finish ended up being the difference. Proud of us coming away with the points, we can definitely improve in our game management so we'll learn from that. Excited to compete again tomorrow."
The Ephs are back at it again tomorrow, staying in Maine for another away day.
