Ephs Edge Tufts 1-0

Final	1	2	T
Williams (12-0-2, 8-0-1)	0	1	1
Tufts (9-3-2, 5-2-2)	0	0	0

Oct 20, 2018

Medford, MA--All Sydney Jones needed was a step. In the 81st minute, with the game tied at 0-0 against Tufts, the Sophomore forward got it. That one step and Jones' speed led to the only goal of the game.

The Williams Ephs (12-0-2/ NESCAC 8-0-1) beat the Tufts University Jumbos (9-3-2/ NESCAC 5-2-2) 1-0. With the win, the Ephs remain tied for first place with Middlebury.

On Tuesday, the Ephs host Middlebury for their final game of the regular season, the winner earning top spot in the NESCAC standings and the right to host in the playoffs.

At 81:30, Jones received the ball at midfield, clipped a pass to Aspen Pierson '21, and then evaded her defender. With the duo sprinting up-field, Pierson sent a brilliant pass to find Jones on a break away. Jones had a step on her defender, forcing Tufts goalie Emily Browers to rush forward to block the shot. But Jones struck the ball by her to net her 9th goal of the season.

After the celebration, Williams held off Tufts in the final minutes to earn a 1-0 victory, their 12th on the season.

For Williams the game was a defensive struggle. Early in the first half, Tufts forward's Alessandra Saddler, Liz Reed, and Sophie Lloyd dominated midfield and created havoc for the Ephs inside the penalty area.

At 24:49, Sadler sent a cross into the goal box, which was headed by Reed. The ball deflected off Eph Olivia Barnhill '19 and actually went in the net after an attempted clearance by Nkem Iregbulum '20. But the referee waved it off.

The Ephs had a great chance in the 18th minute. After the ball rolled outside the penalty area off a clearance, Pierson rattled the left post with a booming shot. The ball ricocheted to Georgia Lord '21, who had an open net but skied the ball high.

In the second half, play settled at midfield, an indication that the Ephs had recovered some momentum. Still, Tufts had the advantage after earning a number corner kicks early in the half. Tufts failed to find the header, but the corners were too close comfort.

Finally, with overtime looming large, Jones threaded the opposing defense on a breakaway and buried the ball in the net.

Tufts had the advantage in shots on goal (13-7) and corner kicks (6-2).

Eph goalie Olivia Barnhill had four saves in posting the clean sheet. Tufts goalie Emily Brower had two saves and one goal allowed.

The Ephs return to action on October 23rd at 3 PM to host NESCAC foe Middlebury.