Box Score WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – In overtime, the top-seeded Williams College women's soccer team (16–1–1, 8–1–1) defeated Tufts (10-5-3, 6-2-2) this afternoon 2-1 on Cole Field to win the 2017 New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Championship.
In yesterday's semifinal match-ups, both teams made second-half surges to overcome deficits and earn berths into the NESCAC championship game. No. 1 seed Williams came back from a 1-0 halftime deficit to top No. 7 seed Amherst 4-2. No. 4 seed Tufts was down 2-1 at halftime versus No. 6 seed Hamilton but rebounded to win 3-2.
The first half saw relatively few chances this afternoon, as play was concentrated in the midfield. Eph senior forward Natasha Albaneze had the best opportunity of the period when her shot from distance hit the left goal post in the 13th minute. Jumbo freshman forward Liz Reed had a hard shot on goal in the 21st minute for the Jumbos, but Williams junior goalkeeper Olivia Barnhill made the save. The game was scoreless at halftime, and the Ephs held a 4-3 edge in shots.
Tufts broke through in the 59th minute. Freshman forward Sophie Lloyd found space on a counter-attack, and she played a ball forward for junior forward Alessandra Sadler. Sadler took a touch and chipped a shot past the keeper and into the net, putting the Jumbos up 1-0. This was Sadler's second goal this season.
Williams equalized in the 81st minute. Players crowded around in Tufts' penalty area, and Jumbo goalkeeper Emily Bowers saved a shot from Eph midfielder Natalie Turner-Wyatt. The ball bounced out to midfielder Victoria Laino, who sent the ball back in to Turner-Wyatt. Unmarked, Turner-Wyatt slipped a shot inside the near post to knot the score at one with under 10 minutes remaining.
Despite an increased intensity in the final minutes of regulation, the score remained 1-1 after 90 minutes sending the game to overtime.
Sophomore forward Alison Lu notched the decider for the Ephs 4:30 into the extra period. Albaneze made a run into the box and played a through ball to Lu, who finished clinically.
Williams prevailed 2-1 to claim its eighth NESCAC title in school history. The Ephs finished with a 17-8 shot advantage.
Emily Bowers (10-5-3) made eight saves for Tufts, while Olivia Barnhill (14-0-1) had two for Williams.
The hosts earn an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Tufts will hope for an at-large NCAA bid. The 2017 NCAA Division III field will be announced on Monday at 1 p.m.
#
Recap Courtesy of Williams College
