Ephs close out unbeaten regular season; defeat Middlebury, 1-0
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Williams (13-0-1, 8-0-1) used an early goal to defeat conference opponent Middlebury (7-4-2, 6-3-0), 1-0, and send their six seniors—Clare Gallagher, Caitlin Colesanti, Brit Spackman, Gabrielle Woodson, Hannah Ratcliffe, and Lauren Garcia—out with a victory on Senior Day, 1-0.
Jacqueline Russo fought for a long ball in front of the goal box, and aimed a perfectly placed header to teammate Sara Wild. The Eph sophomore flicked the ball to a charging Wild on her left, who ripped a shot too hard for the Middlebury goalie too handle.
The goal at the 5:13 mark would be the only offense of the contest. Although the Ephs rattled off 10 shots in the first half, a 15-4 shooting advantage did not translate to further goals.
“We [Williams] started strong, but Middlebury is an organized team,” said Ephs head coach Michelyne Pinard. “They are a tough team to get behind, and that showed today. The emotions of the seniors’ last regular season game showed a bit. We had moments of brilliance, but not ninety minutes of it.”
The Panther’s goalkeeper Lauryn Torch recorded 8 saves, while being tested considerably by a formidable Williams front. Ephs keeper Lauren Sinnenberg, while only recorded 1 saves on the afternoon, displayed incredible composure in the minutes of play where the rest of the team lagged a bit.
The Ephs will begin post-season play on Sunday when they host Colby in the first round of the NESCAC tournament. Williams will play as the #1 seed. Game time is set for 12:30 on Cole Field.
One might assume it to be pressure-laden post-season for the #1 ranked team in the nation, but Pinard believes differently.
“There is pressure in the post-season regardless, because you win or go home” continued Pinard. “There is another level of urgency to every game.”
