Williams dominates in season opener over Endicott, 4-1
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“Our nerves showed early on,” said Williams’ head coach Michelyne Pinard. “It was seen in the speed of play, and there was doubting as well. As the game progressed, we became more comfortable on the field and it speaks volumes that all twenty-three players came into the game, fit, and ready to go.”
The defensive play by the Ephs was solid all game long, allowing only four shots on goal in ninety minutes of play. The first twenty-five minutes of the game were played in the middle of the field though, as the Williams offense struggled to move the ball forward while the defense kept Endicott at bay.
“Endicott was giving us space in the midfield,” continued Pinard. “We were not quite sure how to capitalize on that space, but when we figured out that we could really go at them, we broke them down.”
Williams finally broke through in the 27th minute due to the play of Brianna Wolfson and Gabrielle Woodson. The two players scored 24 of the Ephs’ 50 goals last season, and when Wolfson entered the game with the clock nearing the twenty-minute mark, it seemed to be only a matter of time before something positive happened on the field.
The duo had a few good passing sequences that fell short early on. At one point, Wolfson laced a pass between two defenders to Woodson. About ten feet outside the penalty box, Woodson was supposedly fouled when the referee reversed the call seconds later and called offsides. Williams would not let questionable calls deter them and they did not stay quiet for long, as minutes later Wolfson headed the ball to Woodson. She charged in on goal on the right side and shot the ball to the far left corner. Freshman Bret Eisenhart had a heads up play, doving legs first into the left goal post for the 1-0 tally.
The Ephs continued their improved offensive attack in the second period. Woodson found herself in the thick of play once again, scoring the game- winning goal at the 56:39 mark.&nb sp; Just three minutes later, Wolfson found the goal to put Williams ahead 3-1. Freshman Nicole Stenquist headed the ball to Woodson, and Woodson proceeded to rip off a shot that found the stomach of Endicott’s goalkeeper. Wolfson capitalized off the deflection, placing the ball into the back right corner.
Senior captain Clare Gallagher scored Williams’ final goal at the 64:21 mark, giving the Ephs a 4-0 lead. Williams looked to have the shutout in the bag before a defensive slipup allowed the Gulls an opportunity on goal.
“It actually happened in the middle of the field,” said Pinard, referring to where the Ephs defensive mistake began. “Endicott is a very good team, and we put no pressure on the ball so they finally found a target who turned and found the goal. They took advantage of the space between our backs.”
Endicott’s Karyn Plante scored the lone goal for her squad with three minutes remaining in play. Caitlin Flynn was credited with the assist.
The Ephs hope to build off their strong start and will visit Bates on Saturday, September 13 at 11:00 am for their first taste of NESCAC competition this season.
