SCHENECTADY, N.Y. — The fourth-ranked Williams College field hockey team responded well to an early one-goal deficit Wednesday evening, as the Ephs showcased their immense talent and depth by scoring five unanswered goals during the final 30 minutes, 41 seconds in a 5-1 non-conference triumph against Union on Frank Bailey Field at Bertagna-Class of 1985 Stadium.

"That was a tale of two halves," said 27th-year head coach Alix Barrale '93. "We lacked focus and intensity, and Union capitalized on that. It took a while to find our groove. I am proud of the team for never giving up. We stepped it up in the second half, and started playing with more confidence and intention."

The Ephs' balanced attack was orchestrated by seniors Haley McAuslin (2 goals), Laura Ryan (1 goal) and Keira Harder (1 goal), while sophomore Sawyer Rowland (1 goal) and first-year Hannah Herlihy (1 assist) were vital components to the win for the Ephs (6-1, 3-1 NESCAC). Williams and Union (4-2) have met in three consecutive years, as the Ephs won, 4-0, on the road in 2024 and defended home field, 3-0, during 2025.

During the eighth minute, the Garnet Chargers opened the scoring. Katelyn Birnbaum's shot from deep in the circle was denied by junior goalie Ellie Smith. Maddie Greco gathered the rebound and blasted a shot from straight on into the bottom left corner.

Williams responded off a penalty corner in the final minute of the second quarter. McAuslin inserted the ball from the left attacking side, and then the ball found its way back onto her stick. She fired a shot from the left side that was denied by Union goalkeeper Tess Parker. Harder was directly in front of the goal and batted the rebound out of the air into the net, evening the score at 1-1 going into halftime.

Rowland buried her team-leading second game-winning goal of the season during the 32nd minute. The scoring sequence began with a penalty corner on the right attacking side by Harder. Herlihy's shot from the edge of the circle was blocked up into the air by a Union defender, and then Rowland established position in front of the goal and was able to guide the ball into the bottom right corner.

Ryan gave the visitors some breathing room with an outstanding individual effort in the 49th minute. She stole the ball from a defender, and then proceeded into the circle where she eluded another defender before netting a shot into the bottom left corner.

Williams kept applying pressure, as McAuslin placed a penalty stroke into the top right corner with 2:27 showing on the clock in the fourth. During the 59th minute, McAuslin ended the scoring, as she found the back of the net on a rebound from senior Tess Everett's shot.

Smith made three saves, improving to 6-1 on the season and earning her 30th collegiate victory. Williams held a 15-7 advantage in shots, including a 10-0 lead during the second half. The Ephs placed 11 shots on goal, while Union was on target with four. The visitors led the penalty-corner statistic, 10-4.

The Ephs compete against No. 15 Amherst Saturday at 11:30 a.m. on Williamson Field.