WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - A goal from Claire Colvin just 52 seconds into the game and a pair of goals from Laura Ryan led the Williams College field hockey team to a 3-0 victory over Union on Wednesday evening at Williamson Field.
The Ephs held the visitors without a shot and poured the pressure on throughout, as they opened the season with a win for the fifth straight year.
The opening goal came from a penalty corner, where Pilar Torres' shot was deflected by Colvin past the Union goalie from close range. A second goal followed soon after with Colvin again in the center of the action. The junior beat several defenders before laying a pass to Kiki Higgins, whose shot was saved directly back to Colvin, who passed to a wide-open Ryan to tuck home.
Williams opened the second half with another quick goal. Higgins deflected a Katie Sigrist pass high into the air, forcing Union's goalie into a save, and she then found her own rebound to pass to Ryan to smash home a shot on an airborne ball. The goal came just 57Â seconds into the second half.
It was a complete performance from the Ephs, who held a 28-0 advantage in shots and 10-0 edge in penalty corners. Three first-years made debuts for the hosts, with Sigrist, Sawyer Rowland, and Leah Hong all registering shots on goal in the win.
"A great team effort against a strong Union team," said head coach Alix Barrale. "Our defense was outstanding top to bottom."
The Ephs visit No. 2-ranked Tufts on Saturday in the NESCAC opener for both teams, with a 1 p.m. start at Ounjian Field in Medford, Massachusetts.Â
