WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The No. 8-ranked and top-seeded Williams College women's soccer team scored a goal in each half Sunday afternoon, as the Ephs captured their NESCAC-leading ninth conference championship with a 2-1 win over No. 3 and second-seeded Tufts on Cole Field.

The Ephs (14-2-1, 8-1-1 NESCAC) hoisted the conference crown for the first time since 2017 and avenged their 2025 result to the Jumbos (13-1-3, 7-0-3 NESCAC) in the NESCAC Championship game, as Tufts persevered in penalty kicks. Williams previously hoisted conference titles in 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2017. The 2026 unit has earned the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Tournament and will learn its first-round opponent during the selection show on Monday at 11:30 a.m.

"I am so proud of this group to finish up our NESCAC season in this way," said seventh-year head coach Sarah Raymond. "This team has dialed in and trained with intention to grow and improve every day. We have the belief and talent to compete with anyone. Tufts is a talented team and pushed us all the way. It was a deserving conference championship with the two of us in it. I am so excited for this group to win this, and we cannot wait to see who we have up next in the NCAA Tournament."

During the 34th minute, junior forward Elizabeth Stophel made a tremendous individual effort, as she eluded a Tufts' defender just outside the 18-yard box. The Chattanooga, Tennessee, native blasted a right-footed shot from the right side of the box that landed into the bottom left corner of the goal.

First-year Lyyli Stern gave Williams some breathing room in the 70th minute. She one-timed a shot with her left foot off a right-side corner kick by first-year Lauren Rosenberg. The goal was the first of Stern's collegiate career and also stood up as the game-winning tally.

With 1:59 remaining in the second half, Reese Birch found the back of the net for the Jumbos, but the Ephs were able to close out the one-goal victory. Junior goalkeeper Chelsea Mohammed improved to 14-1-1 on the season and made four saves.

The Ephs held a 5-3 advantage in shots during the first half, and then the Jumbos led in the category, 8-4, during the final 45 minutes. Stophel was a force on the offensive end and applied relentless pressure on Tufts' back line, as she put all of her three shots on target. Williams attempted two corner kicks and Tufts was credited with one.