LEWISTON, Maine - Senior captain
Kiki Higgins scored her team-leading 13th goal of the season during the ninth minute for the No. 18-ranked Williams College field hockey team Saturday afternoon, as the Ephs fell, 2-1, in double overtime to No. 6 Tufts during the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament at Bates College.
This was the final game for seniors
Chloe Bush,
Natalia Nolan,
Anna Miller,
Grace Rebak, captain
Pilar Torres and Higgins, as the group led the Ephs (9-9, 6-4 NESCAC) to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including Final Four runs in 2022 and 2024. The 2024 team won a program-record 16 games, earned a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament and hosted and won a regional at Williamson Field.
"We left absolutely everything on the field today," said head coach
Alix Barrale. "To fall in double overtime on the Sweet 16 stage does not diminish one ounce of what this group has built. Our seniors led us to two Final Fours and two Sweet 16 appearances in just four years. That is extraordinary. Their courage, standards and belief in each other have elevated this program. I admire them more than words can say. I will miss them terribly."
During the ninth minute Saturday, sophomore
Ali Meyer played a ball from the right edge of the circle, and then Miller tipped the ball to Higgins who found the back of the net for the early 1-0 lead. With 2:48 left in the fourth quarter, the Jumbos (16-3, 9-1 NESCAC) evened the game on a goal by Hannah Murray. Eleanor Helm scored the game-winning goal 1:50 into the second-overtime session.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Ellie Smith made a game-high 10 saves, while Higgins and junior
Claire Colvin combined for six total shots and four on net.
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