Hamilton Tops Williams in NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament

Courtesy Williams Sports Information

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Williams (17-1-0) saw its undefeated season and bid for a program-first NCAA Championship end after a 2-1 loss to Hamilton (16-1-2). The Continentals will face the winner of Western Connecticut and Worcester State tomorrow at noon to battle for a spot in the national semifinals and a trip to Orlando, Florida.

Williams opened the game strong by aggressively attacking the Hamilton defense and had many opportunities to grab momentum and take an early lead. The Ephs' defense remained solid in the opening minutes of play. Hamilton only managed four shots in the first period, and was out shot by a six-shot margin, but the Continentals knew how to capitalize when it counted.

With less than five minutes left in the first half, Megan Brousseau cleared the ball out of Hamilton's half of the field and found teammate Erica Dressler racing downfield. The Hamilton forward collected the ball and adeptly separated herself from a Williams defender before carefully lacing a hard ball on the ground to the far right back of the net past a diving keeper.

Hamilton stunned the home crowd after taking a 2-0 lead at the 56:33 mark.

Continental Anne Graveley took the ball at midfield and found herself one on one in a foot race against a Williams defender. Graveley managed to beat the opposition on the right side of the net, and got off a well-placed kick to the far left post that found the back corner.

Playing behind for only the third time in eighteen games, and giving up more than one goal in any game all season, Williams needed to mount an impressive comeback for the victory. The Ephs got an energy boost a minute after Hamilton's second goal, when a player got fouled inside the penalty box.

Senior captain Kaolin McEvoy calmly scored, putting her squad in a position to tie the game with plenty of time left in regulation. The Ephs continued to attack the goal the rest of the half, but even with many open shots on goal, Hamilton held on to win.

Lauren Sinnenberg suffered her first loss of the season for the Ephs. Hamilton keeper Caitlin McGilley played an impressive game at net, tallying eight saves that kept Williams to only one goal.