WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — First-year defender Hannah Herlihy announced her arrival Thursday evening, as she scored twice for the seventh-ranked Williams College field hockey team during an inspiring 2-0 victory over No. 6 Babson at Williamson Field.

Junior goalkeeper Ellie Smith recorded her second consecutive shutout for the Ephs (2-0, 1-0 NESCAC), as she now has 15 in her collegiate career. The Wayland, Massachusetts, native made five saves, including a highlight-reel stop on a shot going toward the top right corner off a tip by Ashley Braren from deep in the circle with five minutes left in the second quarter.

"Babson is a formidable opponent and we knew it would be a great early season test for us," said 27th-year head coach Alix Barrale '93. "Ellie was phenomenal in goal. She came up big when we needed her most. Starting the season with two big wins is exciting, but more importantly, I like the grit, belief and togetherness this group is already showing. Hannah scoring both goals was exciting."

With less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter, senior forward and midfielder Claire Colvin played a penalty corner from the left attacking side to senior forward Haley McAuslin. The Cumberland, Maine, native then carried the ball into the circle, locating Herlihy on the right side. She placed her first collegiate goal and the game-winning tally into the bottom left corner with 4:02 remaining.

The Ephs executed the same play in the fourth quarter off a penalty corner from the right side attacking side by Colvin. McAuslin slid a pass over to Herlihy on the left side, and then the Andover, Massachusetts, native buried a shot with 6:18 on the scoreboard. First-year forward Kathryn Smith and senior defender Keira Harder played focal points in the scoring sequence with strong screens in front of the goalie.

The Ephs held a 17-16 advantage in shots, including a 7-5 lead in shots on goal. Goalkeeper Madison Tibbals made five saves for the Beavers (2-2). Williams led the penalty-corner statistic, 7-3.

Williams and Babson have met in five straight seasons, as the Ephs have gone 3-2. The previous four games between the two programs were decided by one goal, including overtime games in 2024 and 2025.

The Ephs compete against Trinity Saturday at noon in Hartford, Connecticut.