WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — One game-winning goal in the 90th minute against Amherst on Sept. 26 was not enough this season for first-year Nick Appleton of the second-seeded and No. 9-ranked Williams College men's soccer team, as the midfielder struck again with the game-winner during the 74th minute in a 1-0 triumph against seventh-seeded Wesleyan Saturday afternoon during the NESCAC Quarterfinals on Cole Field.

With the win and the help of a Middlebury loss, the Ephs (11-2-2, 6-2-2 NESCAC) find themselves hosting the semifinal and final rounds of the conference tournament on Saturday, Nov. 7, and Sunday, Nov. 8, on Cole Field. Williams is hosting the Final Four for the first time since 2022, as that team was also the second seed.

"Two great teams faced each other today in a back-and-forth game with plenty opportunities for either one to score," said sixth-year head coach Steffen Siebert. "I could not be prouder of the resilience of the team, winning yet another second half. We are looking forward to hosting the NESCAC Final Four next week on Cole."

During the 74th minute, first-year Andrew Martins played a ball to senior captain Atticus Ross at the midfield line. Ross one-timed a through ball to Appleton, who went into the right side of the 18-yard box and netted a shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Junior goalkeeper Kai Darrell made seven saves and earned his third individual shutout of the season. Senior Spencer Mix posted four shots and two on target, while juniors Alex Bethencourt and Luca Ruta put both of their attempts on net.

The Ephs held a 9-7 advantage in shots on goal, while the Cardinals (7-5-4, 3-4-3 NESCAC) led in total shots, 17-15. Wesleyan attempted five corner kicks and Williams was awarded two. During the regular-season meeting between the programs on Oct. 17 in Middletown, Connecticut, the game finished in a 1-1 draw, as Bethencourt scored for Williams in the 24th minute.

The Ephs compete against eighth-seeded Amherst on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 10:45 a.m. during the NESCAC Semifinals in Williamstown, Massachusetts.