MIDDLEBURY, Vt. — Sophomore forward Chloe Lee of the eighth-ranked Williams College women's soccer team provided the heroics Tuesday afternoon with her first collegiate game-winning goal during the 33rd minute, as the Ephs clinched the top seed in the NESCAC Tournament with a 1-0 triumph at No. 25 Middlebury from the Allan Dragone Track & Field Complex.

"I am proud of this group and the intention the we showed tonight to get this done and win the conference," said seventh-year head coach Sarah Raymond. "We have turned it up in the second part of the year with the mindset of going out, winning these games and controlling from the start. We did that again today."

The Ephs (11-2-1, 8-1-1 NESCAC) will host the eighth seed during a quarterfinal-round game in the NESCAC Tournament on Saturday at Cole Field, as the opponent and game time will be announced Wednesday. If Williams advances past the opening round, it will host the semifinal and final rounds of the conference playoffs on Nov. 7-8 in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

This is the first time since 2018 that the Ephs are the top seed in the NESCAC Tournament and it is also the first time the program has accomplished the feat with head coach Sarah Raymond at the helm. During the 2025 regular season, Williams outscored its opponents, 34-5, shutout nine opponents and never allowed more than one goal in a game.

During the 33rd minute Tuesday, first-year Lauren Rosenberg stole the ball off a clear by Middlebury's goalkeeper. She passed the ball to Lee, who then maneuvered her way inside the 18-yard box. The Great Falls, Virginia, native unloaded a left-footed strike, which curved into the right side of the net and beat the diving effort of the goalie.

Junior goalkeeper Chelsea Mohammed improved to 11-1-1 on the season and posted her fifth individual shutout. She made an outstanding save on a header attempt from point-blank range by Fiona Linnau in the 77th minute.

"It is a testament to the depth that we have student-athletes step up and give us goals when we need them," said Raymond. "It was a fantastic strike from Chloe to put us in the lead. The back four and Chelsea played tough and confident all night, and while we saw some pressure from Middlebury in the last part of the game, the team held strong. Everyone battled and gave their all and it feels awesome to finish our regular season in this way."

The Ephs held a 15-5 advantage in shots, including an 11-2 lead during the opening 45 minutes. Williams attempted three corner kicks and Middlebury was awarded one. Juniors Elle Long and Lily Mark attempted three shots, respectively.

Williams has won three consecutive games against Middlebury. During the 2025 season, the Ephs defended home-field advantage during a 1-0 regular-season win, and then outlasted the Panthers, 2-1, during the semifinals of the conference tournament.