MIDDLETOWN, Conn. — The 10th-ranked Williams College women's soccer team did not waste any time finding a rhythm on Saturday afternoon, as the Ephs found the back of the net twice during the opening three minutes, 14 seconds in a 3-1 victory over No. 23 and Little Three-rival Wesleyan on Jackson Field.

"What a fantastic game for us today," said seventh-year head coach Sarah Raymond. "We came out flying at the start and saw two goals within four minutes. Elizabeth was killing them with her speed, dribbling ability and was responsible for both early goals by constantly getting to the end line and putting the defense under so much pressure."

The Ephs (9-2-0, 7-1-0 NESCAC) opened the scoring during the second minute, as junior forward Elizabeth Stophel entered the 18-yard box on the right side. She proceeded to send a ball across the front of the net, and then after a failed Wesleyan clear, sophomore midfielder Lucy Carrel buried her fourth goal of the season.

During the fourth minute, Stophel made a run down the right attacking side and established position in the same area of the box. Her cross this time around was deflected by a Wesleyan defender into the back of the net and the sequence was scored as an own goal, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead.

Sophomore midfielder Olivia Bevilacqua tallied her first goal of the season with 42 seconds on the scoreboard in the first half, slipping a shot by the on-rushing goalkeeper off a through ball by senior forward Isabel Konijnenberg. The assist was the first of the season for Konijnenberg and the sixth of her collegiate career.

During the 82nd minute, Maria Utz buried her 12th goal of the season for the Cardinals (8-4-0, 4-4-0 NESCAC), scoring a left-footed shot from the left side of the box into the right side of the net.

"We always knew the second half would be a battle, which it certainly was, but we withstood the pressure they threw at us and were able to control the last period to put the game away," said Raymond. "We are playing with so much confidence and we are capable of anything when we do that."

Williams held a 20-8 advantage in shots and an 11-5 lead in shots on goal. The Ephs led the corner-kick statistic, 6-2, while Carrel, Stophel, sophomore Maya Lloyd and senior captain Bria Abbiati combined for 13 shots.

The Ephs compete against University of Southern Maine during senior day Sunday at 2 p.m. on Cole Field.