Williams Wins Third Consecutive Men's Soccer Championship

Courtesy Bowdoin Sports Information

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - The Williams College men's soccer team claimed their third straight NESCAC crown on Sunday, holding off second-seeded Bowdoin 1-0 to take the title. The Ephs (13-1-1) earn the automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, while the Polar Bears (13-2-2) will hope for an at-large berth when the selections are announced on Sunday evening.

A hotly contested game featured two dominant defensive teams with few chances to be had. The Ephs converted at 26:28 as Williams first-year forward John Hillman took a long through ball over the top of the Polar Bear defense from senior Ryan Olsen and put home the score for a 1-0 edge. After taking the lead, Bowdoin became more aggressive offensively and controlled the pace of play for a significant amount of the second half. With 15 minutes remaining, Bowdoin had their best chance to convert as Tucker Hodgkins came open at the top of the box. His shot was saved by Eph netminder Nick Armington, as the Williams defense proved up to the task.

Armington, a sophomore goaltender, made six saves in his fourth shutout of the season as Williams won their 11th straight game. The Polar Bears saw their their school-record ten-game winning streak come to a close as keeper Travis Derr made one save. Williams out-shot Bowdoin 16-12. The two teams tied in their regular season meeting in Brunswick, 3-3 on September 20.

2003 NESCAC MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round - Sunday, Nov. 2 at Higher Seeds
at No. 2 Bowdoin 3, No. 7 Trinity 0
No. 6 Wesleyan 1, at No. 3 Amherst 1 - 2OT
Wesleyan advances on penalty kicks, 6-5
at No. 4 Middlebury 1, No. 5 Tufts 0

Semifinals - Saturday, Nov. 8 at Williams
at No. 1 Williams 3, No. 6 Wesleyan 0
No. 2 Bowdoin 2, vs. No. 4 Middlebury 1 - OT

Championship - Sunday, Nov. 9 at Williams
at No. 1 Williams 1, No. 2 Bowdoin 0