WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - After defeating Grove City, 18-3, and No. 5-ranked William Smith, 11-10, during the NCAA Division III Tournament First and Second Round, respectively, the No. 20 Williams College women's lacrosse team is making its sixth appearance in the Sweet 16, as the Ephs will compete against No. 25 Colorado College Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on Tufts University's Bello Field in Medford, Massachusetts.
The Ephs (11-7, 5-5 NESCAC) are on the national stage for the seventh time in program history and first time since the 2014 season, as Williams previously qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 1998, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2010 and 2014. The 1998 and 2000 teams were national runner-ups, while the 2003 team made a run to the Elite Eight. The 2009 and 2014 units reached the Sweet 16.
During the victory over Grove City in first-round action on May 9 in Geneva, New York, 15 Ephs tallied at least point. Senior captain
Franny Donohue (2 goals, 2 assists), first-year
Ella Ryan (3 goals, 1 assist), senior
Paige Nelson (2 goals, 1 assist), senior
Anna Miller (1 goal, 2 assists), senior
Katy McCullough (2 goals), junior
Sydney Puntus (1 goal, 1 assist) and junior
Reece Willison (1 goal, 1 assist) recorded multi-point efforts.
In the one-goal triumph against host William Smith on May 10, Williams scored five consecutive goals spanning between the second and third quarters to take a 9-5 advantage, while Miller and Puntus scored fourth-quarter goals to hold of a late push by the Herons. Donohue (1 goal, 3 assists), McCullough (3 goals, 1 assist), Willison (2 goals, 1 assist) and Puntus (2 goals) led the charge.
Donohue and Nelson were named to the NESCAC All-Conference First and Second Team, respectively, this spring. Donohue ranks second in the NESCAC in total points (87) and points per game (4.83), third in goals per game (2.89), tied for third in total goals (52) and fourth in total assists (35) and assists per game (1.94).
Colorado College (16-3, 8-0 WIAC) reached the NCAA Tournament with an automatic qualifier by winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship. The Tigers earned a first-round bye in the national tournament and defeated Rhodes, 20-7, in second-round action on May 10. Charlotte Iler leads the Tigers in goals (64), assists (35) and points (99).
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