NEW LONDON, Conn. - Senior captain
Kiki Higgins finished with two goals and one assist, while junior
Claire Colvin scored twice, for the No. 18-ranked Williams College field hockey team Saturday afternoon during a 7-1 triumph at Connecticut College.
"It was a great team effort," said head coach
Alix Barrale. "We capitalized in the offensive circle, but do not be fooled by the score,
Ellie Smith had to come up with some huge saves. She was lights out."
The Ephs (8-6, 6-3 NESCAC) defeated the Camels (6-8, 1-8 NESCAC) for the 15th consecutive time dating back to the 2011 season. The two teams met in the 2024 NESCAC Quarterfinals, as second-seeded Williams defeated seventh-seeded Connecticut College, 2-0, on Williamson Field.
Colvin, who missed the last six games due to injury, made a dramatic return, burying the game-winning goal in the 11th minute. The play began with Colvin inserting a penalty corner from the left side, and then senior captain
Pilar Torres had her shot blocked, but the ball found its way onto the stick of junior
Keira Harder, who attempted a shot that was deflected by the goalie. Colvin pushed the ball into the net from the left goal line.
Higgins gave the visitors some breathing room 32 seconds later, as she received the ball in the middle of the attacking side of the field and made a quick move to gain entry into the circle. The Weston, Massachusetts, native dribbled down the left side and backhanded a pass that was deflected by a Connecticut College defender into the back of the net.
The Camels went on the scoreboard in the 13th minute off a penalty corner, as Sadie Gearan ripped a shot from the top of the circle that was redirected into the back of the net by Serena Moore. Williams scored with 35 seconds remaining in the opening quarter, as Higgins forced a Camels' turnover with tremendous on-ball pressure, and then utilized outstanding footwork at the end line of the circle on the right side. She sent a crisp pass across the net and Colvin went into the thick of the action and tipped it pass the goalkeeper, giving the Ephs a 3-1 lead.
Junior
Tess Everett played a ball into the circle to senior
Anna Miller, who turned and buried a shot into the bottom right corner during the 25th minute, sending Williams into halftime with a 4-1 advantage. During the 39th minute, first-year
Katie Sigrist made a pass to sophomore
Ali Meyer, who made a run down the right side into the circle. Meyer slid a pass to Higgins, who squeezed a shot into the right side of the net from a difficult angle.
The Ephs concluded the scoring a with a pair of fourth-quarter goals. During the 47th minute, junior
Laura Ryan inserted a penalty corner to junior
Haley McAuslin, as the Cumberland, Maine, native's shot was blocked but she sent the rebound into the middle of the circle. Harder and sophomore
McKenna Dwyer established position in front of the goal and it was Dwyer who was able to send the ball into the right side of the net.
From the defensive zone, Torres sent a great pass to Sigrist in middle of the field and she gained entry into the offensive side. Sigrist then spotted Dwyer on the left side of the circle and she one-timed a shot into the net for her second goal of the game.
Smith made six saves for the visitors, as the Ephs led in total shots, 21-14, and shots on goal, 11-7. Williams took five penalty corners and Connecticut College attempted four.
The Ephs compete against No. 10 Middlebury Tuesday at 7 p.m. on Williamson Field, as home-field advantage in the quarterfinals of the NESCAC Tournament is on the line.
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