Williamstown, MA – The Williams College Ephs (2-2, 0-2) hosted the #4 R.P.I. Engineers (7-0, 0-0) at Farley-Lamb Field, looking to bounce back after their loss to Wesleyan. It was a battle the entire way through. Despite falling behind by a few at goals through the first half, Williams kept battling and made this a wildly entertaining game. It wasn't until the final minutes that R.P.I. built a substantial lead, and as time wound down Williams would fall by a score of 14-9.
The first period started with the Ephs in the offensive-zone, generating a couple of good looks. At the nine-minute mark,
Matt Wetmore came up with a huge save to keep the game at 1-0, with R.P.I. leading.
Gavin Timoney came ready to play today. The sophomore stood out laying some big hits through the midfield. With the Ephs trailing by two,
Ian Kim got the ball in the hands of the Ephs off the draw and Williams on the attack. Drawing a holding penalty, the Ephs offense capitalized on their man advantage.
Will Doran danced around the R.P.I. goalie and buried the first Williams goal off a gorgeous back-door pass from
Harrison Cross. The first quarter ended with the Ephs trailing 3-1.
The second period started with the ball in the hands of Williams.
Wyatt Cotton with a huge offensive effort got the ball in the hands of
Will Doran who pocketed his second of the night. Despite dropping two through the middle portion of the period, Williams was standing tall. Their determination was rewarded when R.P.I. took a 1-minute slashing penalty.
Harrison Cross picked up another great assist, this time feeding
Jesse Shapiro to make the score 5-3. Only 30 seconds later,
Gavin Timoney scored to get Williams within 1. The back half of the period was tough, but
Ryan Johnson and
Jesse Shapiro pocketed two for Williams, Doran and R. Johnson picking up assists on those respectively. Wetmore came up with another huge save at the end of the quarter to keep Williams in this game only trailing by 2, 8-6.
Williams wasted no time, battling in the face-off dot, to gain possession and get on offense. The Ephs were throwing shots all around, one of their best chances coming off an almost nasty behind-the-back pass from
Gavin Timoney. Williams was demonstrating some lock-down defense as well. They were rewarded as 7 minutes into the quarter
Ryan Johnson put Williams back within one. Williams did a good job settling down after R.P.I. responded, Brendan Coolen was solid up and down the field today for Williams, supporting the play in the defensive end and helping bring pressure up the field. At the 2\ minute mark,
Ryan Johnson battling through pressure, picked up a great ball from
Gavin Timoney, tallied Williams' 8
th goal of the night. With time winding down Williams was only trailing by 1, the score reading 9-8.
The fourth quarter started with R.P.I. capitalizing on a broken play, but the Ephs were right back on the attack after a great effort from
Ian Kim. The 9 minute mark saw Ryan Nagel bury one from the paint off a great pass from the point from
Ryan Johnson. Despite a relentless effort from the Ephs, the end of the fourth quarter was difficult, and the Ephs ended up falling by a score of 14-9.
Eph head coach
George McCormack had this to say after the game, "I thought our defense really stepped up…I thought that after our last game we did a little soul searching and we did some good things (today). Some good things, but obviously still some room for growth."
