Courtesy of Williams Sports Information
NEW LONDON, Conn. - The Williams College Ephs (14-10-1, 9-8-1 NESCAC) defeated the Connecticut College Camels (10-11-4, 9-5-4 NESCAC) 4-2 on the road to advance to the NESCAC Semifinals. The Ephs scored three unanswered goals in the second period to secure the win.
In net for the Ephs today was Michael Pinios, who made 26 saves in the contest. In net for the Camels was Connor Rodericks, who made 32 saves.
These two teams faced each other twice earlier in the regular season. The first time they met, the Ephs came away with a decisive 7-2 victory. In the most recent matchup, the Camels came away with a hard fought 3-2 victory.
While there were no goals scored in the first period, Connecticut College was able to get a strong start offensively, with shots at 14-9 favoring the Camels after the first 20 minutes.
The Ephs scored three consecutive goals in the second period. The first came at 5:42, when C.J. Shugart (13th goal) fired one past Rodericks on a play assisted by Connor Meike (third assist). This brought the score to 1-0.
The second Williams goal came exactly one minute later. At 6:42, Joe Welch was able to secure his fourth goal of the season. Welch was assisted by Roberto Cellini (15th assist).
The final goal of the period came at 11:06 from sophomore Max Fuld (sixth goal). Fuld was assisted by Marcus Mollica (10th assist) and Tyler Scott (10th assist), to bring the game to 3-0 headed into the final period of play.
Connecticut College scored back to back goals in the third to bring the game to within one. The first came at 12:53, from Jacob Moreau (11th goal), with the assist coming from classmate Ryan Petti (14th assist). This brought the score to 3-1.
Petti was able to cash in on his second point of the game just minutes later. At 15:31, Petti (eighth goal) fired one past Pinios on a play assisted by Brett Stirling (seventh assist). The score was now 3-2 with just under five minutes remaining.
At 18:40, the Camels pulled Rodericks to gain the extra man. This allowed for Shugart to pick up his second goal of the game. Shugart, with his 14th goal of the season, secured the empty netter at 19:29. Cellini (16th assist), who leads his team in points and assists, earned an assist on the play.
The game ended with a score of 4-2. Shot count in the third period was 12-9 for the Ephs, game totals coming to 36-28, also for Williams.
With this loss, the Camels' season is concluded. This game marked the last college contest for their five graduating seniors.
The Ephs will face Trinity College on the road next Saturday, March 3rd, at 4:30PM.
