SCRANTON, Penn. - The Williams College men's soccer team earned a gritty 2-1 victory at the University of Scranton on Sunday afternoon in the NCAA Second Round.
An action-packed opening 24 minutes saw all three of the game's goals, including a brilliant header from Andrew Coelho and an amazing free kick from Alex Bethencourt.
With the victory, the Ephs move into the final 16 of the NCAA Tournament, and will face off against St. Olaf College in the next round. The location of next weekend's games will be announced on Monday.
The Royals struck first on Sunday, turning home a cross from close range after 16:50 had been played in the game. The Ephs equalized almost immediately, however, scoring just 44 second of game time later.
Kellan Grace played a long ball toward the Scranton box, and Coelho rose to head it over the keeper from almost 20 yards out.
The Ephs took a lead that they would not relinquish less than six minutes later. After a foul about 22 yards out, Bethencourt scored his fourth goal of the weekend on a free kick that he curled into the top corner.
The game was mostly even until the final minutes, as Scranton desperately pushed forward to try to tie the game. The Eph defenders, as well as goalkeeper Aleix Anglada, came up strong, with Anglada making a brilliant save, his fifth of the game, with just over a minute left on a great header from a Scranton player.
The victory was the 10th of the year for the Ephs, who currently hold a record of 10-4-4. It was the first loss of the season for the Royals, who finish their season at 13-1-6.
