Courtesy of Williams Sports Information
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Third-seeded Connecticut College made the most of its first trip to the NESCAC Women's Soccer Championship game, as the Camels edged top-seeded Williams in penalty kicks to capture their first conference crown on Sunday afternoon at Cole Field. Both teams ended regulation tied at 1-1.
Connecticut College goalkeeper Bryanna Montalvo managed 12 saves during regulation and both overtime periods, but back-up keeper Amanda Onofrio played between the posts during penalty kicks. Onoforio, who is typically a defender, turned aside three Eph attempts to lift the Camels to their first-ever NESCAC Championship in school history across all sports.
Both teams were square after each had sent five takers up to the penalty spot, but the sixth round made the difference. Rebecca Raymond got a shot past Eph keeper Hannah Van Wetter before Onofrio denied Williams' Katie Wardlaw attempt.
The Ephs controlled possession and held the advantage in scoring opportunities throughout the game. Their first quality chance in the ninth minute on a counterattack, as Kristi Kirshe dribbled the ball up the length of the field through multiple defenders. However, Montalvo redirected Kirshe's shot away from the goal at a full stretch.
Twenty minutes later, Kirshe was denied again when her right-footed shot caromed off of Montalvo's left post instead, and was sent out of play by a Camel defender.
In the 33rd minute, Connecticut College was awarded a free kick from 35 yards out. Raymond's kick appeared to dip just under Van Wetter's crossbar. After Van Wetter tipped the ball into the crossbar, it ricocheted perfectly to Alexa Tribelli, who buried the rebound into the back of the net. It was the first goal allowed by Williams in nearly 600 minutes.
Trailing 1-0, the Ephs increased the offensive pressure in the second half. Williams finally capitalized on the pressure in the 87th minute when Maddie Swarr played a ball up to the penalty area to Kirshe, who found the left panel of the goal to tie the game.
Both teams had scoring opportunities on set pieces in the first overtime, but were unable to convert. Kirshe had a chance to score the game-winner late in the period, but her shot went just over the crossbar as the game went into a second overtime and eventually penalty kicks.
The Camels gain the automatic bid into the NCAA tournament, as they avenged both of their regular-season losses, defeating Bowdoin 1-0 on Saturday then downing the Ephs on penalties on Sunday.
The Ephs remain undefeated at home, but nevertheless await word on an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament. The decision will be announced Monday at 1 p.m.
