WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Senior captains
Kiki Higgins and
Pilar Torres combined for a total of four goals and one assist Wednesday evening, as the No. 5-ranked Williams College field hockey team defeated Smith, 6-0, in non-conference action on Williamson Field.
Higgins recorded her first collegiate hat trick, which included the game-winning tally for the Ephs (4-1, 2-0 NESCAC). Williams saw seven different student-athletes register at least one point, while goalkeepers
Ellie Smith and
Miriam Silver combined for the shutout.
"It was a great team effort," said head coach
Alix Barrale. "Kiki was a menace on offense. Her pressure on their defense set the tone. Our defense was dominant, not allowing Smith to generate much offense."
The Ephs opened the scoring in the 13th minute, as first-year
Sawyer Rowland applied defensive pressure on the edge of the circle and caused a Bears' turnover. The Wilmington, Delaware, native proceeded to post her first collegiate assist, as she made a pass to Higgins on the doorstep. Higgins did the rest and snuck a shot into the left side of the goal.
During the 27th minute of action, first-year
Katie Sigrist ripped a shot that caused a lively save, and then Higgins backhanded the rebound off the goalkeeper and past the goal line. Torres scored off a penalty stroke 1:08 into the second half, placing a shot into the top-left corner and giving the hosts a 3-0 cushion.
Early in the third quarter, Higgins completed the hat trick, burying a shot top shelf from straight on off a pass by Torres. Senior
Anna Miller and junior
Tess Everett applied a great deal of pressure on Smith's defense, forcing a turnover just outside the circle during the opening minutes of the third. Shortly after, Miller scored from the right side of the circle, assisted by Everett.
Williams ended the scoring in the 55th minute, as sophomore
Sienna Alday placed a tremendous long ball from well beyond the circle on the right attacking side to junior
Haley McAuslin, who redirected the pass into the back of the net from close range. The Ephs held a 34-0 advantage in shots and a 10-1 lead in penalty corners. Goalkeeper Iseul Park played the entire 60 minutes in net for the Bears (3-3), making 15 saves.
The Ephs will be back in action against Trinity Saturday at noon on Williamson Field.
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