CLINTON, N.Y. - An early goal from sophomore Elizabeth Stophel and a late finish from first-year Maya Lloyd gave the Williams College women's soccer team a 2-0 win at Hamilton to open the season on Tuesday afternoon.
Williams got a dream start to the season when Stophel caused a turnover in the attacking third, winning the ball to teammate Bria Abbiati, who immediately played a through ball behind the defense. Stophel put her one-touch finish low and to the goalkeeper's right to give the Ephs the lead.
The Ephs were in control for the rest of the first half but could not extend the lead, outshooting the Continentals, 8-4, and having a 2-0 advantage in corner kicks.
The second half was more even, with Hamilton having a slight edge in shots, but senior goalkeeper Margaret Huelin and the Ephs' defense held firm to keep the clean sheet. Newcomer Lloyd put the game away late, sprinting past the Hamilton backs to collect a ball deep in the attacking zone, before cutting back to shake a defender and tucking a shot inside the far post.
"So proud of the team and our performance tonight," said head coach Sarah Raymond after the match. "Just great performances on all lines and so much of what we worked on during preseason showed up in our game. Two great finishes from Liz and Maya but the standout performances tonight were Greta Pew and Jackie Rainville in our outside back positions. They were tireless in their defensive presence. We are excited to continue to build on what we're doing."
Huelin earned the shutout, the fifth of her career, as Williams won for the first time against Hamilton since 2019, following a number of frustrating ties in the series between the two schools. The Ephs have another two NESCAC road matches - visiting Tufts this Saturday and Amherst a week later - before returning to Cole Field for the team's home opener on Sunday, Sept. 14, at 1 p.m. in a non-league matchup with Skidmore.
