Courtesy of Williams Sports Information

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Fourth-seeded Williams defeated No. 5 Amherst, 2-1, at the Lansing Chapman Rink in the NESCAC Quarterfinals. 

Williams earend the first man-advantage opportunity of the game. At 3:48, Amherst rookie A.J. Klein was called to the box for cross checking. The Ephs entered the game with a 25.8 percent conversion rate on the power play, but were unable to generate a goal on the opportunity.

Amherst got its first power play opportunity of the game at 10:35 of the first period, after Williams junior Colby Cretella was called to the box for hooking. The Purple & White converted the power play to take the lead early 1-0 lead.

At 11:35, right at the halfway mark of the man advantage, Amherst's junior Tyler Granara fired a shot off from the left point, over Pinios's glove to give Amherst the lead. It was Granara's second goal of the season and first-year Noah Gilreath (11th assist) and junior David White (12th assist) assisted on the play.

At 3:53 of the second period, the Ephs were able to get the equalizer, after junior Joe Welch passed the puck from the lower left circle into the crease, where senior Marcus Mollica was able to get one over Girard on the second rebound opportunity. Senior Sam Gray (12th assist) also earned an assist on the play.

At 18:59 of the second period, senior Luke Stickel scored the game-winning goal on an unassisted play. The puck was deflected and the elevated over Girard to give the Ephs a 2-1 advantage.

Williams had three power-play opportunities in the third period to keep Amherst on its toes. At 19:20, Amherst pulled Girard for an extra skater, however the game ended with a score of 2-1.

The Ephs move on to the semifinals at Middlebury where they will face Trinity next weekend.