WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — For the second consecutive season, the No. 8-ranked and top-seeded Williams College women's soccer team will compete in the NESCAC Championship game against No. 3 and second-seeded Tufts, as the Ephs used a pair of second-half goals to defeat No. 23 and fifth-seeded Middlebury, 2-0, during the semifinals Saturday on Cole Field.

The Ephs (13-2-1, 8-1-1 NESCAC) shut out their 11th opponent of the season and extended their undefeated streak to nine games, posting an 8-0-1 mark during that span and outlasting three ranked teams. Williams took down Middlebury (9-4-4, 5-3-2 NESCAC) for the second consecutive year in the NESCAC Semifinals and has won four straight overall against the Panthers.

"It was a game of two halves today," said seventh-year head coach Sarah Raymond. "We were not playing to our strengths in the first half and were lucky to come away still tied, mostly due to some amazing saves from Chelsea Mohammed. We got going in the second half and were able to put the game away and create a lot of dangerous opportunities in front of the goal."

The Jumbos (13-0-3, 7-0-3 NESCAC) defeated third-seeded and No. 16 Hamilton (11-3-3, 6-2-2 NESCAC), 2-1, during the other semifinal matchup Saturday afternoon in Williamstown. Williams and Tufts will meet for the conference title Sunday at noon on Cole Field.

"I am very happy to be moving on and having a chance to compete for the championship tomorrow," said Raymond. "My team is also ready to show up for the complete 90 minutes. We will have our hands full with Tufts, but we are also very excited to be playing them in this game."

During the 53rd minute, sophomore forward Chloe Lee, who has tallied eight points in her last five games, stole the ball from a Middlebury defender, and then played a cross into the 18-yard box from the right attacking side. Senior captain Bria Abbiati one-timed the ball with her right foot out of the air and into the left side of the net for the game-winning tally.

First-year Alli Aleman made an outstanding individual effort during the 70th minute, taking the ball away from a Panther defender, and then carrying into the box. She attempted a shot that went by the diving effort of the goalkeeper into the bottom left corner of the goal to give the Ephs a two-goal advantage with 20:28 on the scoreboard.

"Once again, it was a heads-up play from Chloe to create the first real opportunity and Bria had a spectacular volley from her cross," said Raymond. "After that, we could have put it away earlier, but it was nice to see a second one go in when Alli took the ball off the defender's foot and had a very composed finish in front of the net."

Mohammed made seven saves on her way to a seventh individual shutout of the season. Each team attempted 15 shots and Williams led in shots on goal, 8-7, and corner kicks, 8-3.