WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The fourth-seeded and No. 8 Williams College field hockey team extended its winning streak to eight games against fifth-seeded and No. 6 Hamilton during a 2-0 triumph in the quarterfinal round of the NESCAC Tournament Saturday on Williamson Field.

"It is never easy to beat a team as talented as Hamilton twice," said 27th-year head coach Alix Barrale '93. "We knew we were going to have to earn every inch today. We played well, competed hard and showed a lot of grit throughout the game. Ellie Smith was outstanding in goal, coming up big when we needed her. I am proud of our team for the way we rose to the challenge."

The Ephs (11-5, 6-4 NESCAC) and Continentals (11-5, 6-4 NESCAC) met in the conference tournament for the first time, as the Ephs advanced to the semifinals for the fourth time in the last five years. First-year defender Hannah Herlihy buried her second game-winning goal of the season, as she found the bottom left corner from the top of the circle off a penalty corner by senior Claire Colvin during the 11th minute.

With 4:36 left on the scoreboard in the third quarter, Colvin inserted a corner from the left attacking side. Herlihy's shot was blocked, and then senior Keira Harder fired a shot on target that was denied. Colvin went aggressively to the net and scored off the second-chance opportunity, giving the hosts a 2-0 advantage in the 41st minute.

Smith made five saves and earned her sixth individual shutout of the season. She has shut out Hamilton twice this season, as the Ephs defeated the visiting Continentals, 1-0, on Oct. 20.

Williams led in total shots, 26-10, and held a 12-5 advantage in shots on goal. The Ephs attempted six corners and the Continentals were awarded three. Senior forward Haley McAuslin and sophomore midfielder Katie Sigrist combined for 14 shots and seven on target.

The Ephs will compete against top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Tufts on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 11 a.m. during the NESCAC Semifinals in Medford, Massachusetts.