Women's Soccer - Williams over Plattsburgh State, 3-0
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“Our back three has not been tested a ton,” said Williams’ head coach Michelyne Pinard. “This team is capable of attacking effectively, and we were able to defend throughout the field. Our forwards put good pressure on the ball, our midfielders kept us organized, and our backs dealt with the speed of their frontrunners really well.”
On the offensive side of the ball, Sara Wild set the right tone for the Ephs', scoring early at the 10:09 mark. Bret Eisenhart was fouled just outside the 18- yard box, allowing Wild to take the free kick. Wild laced a curving ball to the top left corner for the 1-0 lead.
“That first goal was huge,” commented Pinard. “This was the first time we have seen a really high pressure situation, and when we’re playing a team that is that good, the first goal is really important. It settled us down, and we played more composed. The next step for us is to play more composed before we score.”
In the 22nd minute of play, Plattsburgh State nearly knotted the game when Helen Giroux took a free kick after a foul that nailed the cross bar. It was the only look at goal for the visiting team in the opening period. With the advantage the Ephs' seemed to settle into a good rhythm on the field, and began to increase the offensive pressure in the second half. Williams had 19 shot attempts in the latter period, compared to just 8 in the first half.
Annelise Snyder would score the next two goals for the Ephs'. Playing alongside Sarah Walmsley and Sam Vilboa in the front, Snyder capitalized on the solid passing and good communication that the three teammates had on the field this afternoon. At the 75:28 mark, Vilboa crossed the ball inside to Snyder who flicked a slow roller to the far post for the 2-0 score.
With 2:30 to play, Snyder snuck another one in off a fast break up field. Walmsley was able to get by her defender at midfield, and passed to Vilboa streaking down center field. With a flick of the heel, Vilboa passed over the ball and gave the ball to Snyder who smartly veered to the left of Vilboa and the defender. Alone against the goalkeeper, Snyder was able to get off another soft grounder in a good location to bring the Ephs' advantage to three.
Sachi Siegelman preserved the shut out in the final minute of play, when Plattsburgh State’s Erin Norris had an open look from beyond the 18-yard box. Norris ripped the ball to goal, and Siegelman headed out the ball that certainly would have scored otherwise.
The Ephs starting keeper, Julia Schreiber, tallied her third win of the season, recording one save. Lauren Sinnenberg closed out the game and had two saves. The two Ephs' goalkeepers have been splitting time, and switching starts every other game this season.
“They both need to be comfortable starting and finishing,” said Pinard. “I want to put them in both situations, so that neither of them gets too comfortable in either role.”
Williams will travel for the first this season and will face Colby on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. On Sunday, the Ephs' take on archrival #16 Amherst College at Amherst.
