Despite late rush, Ephs drop 2-1 game to Lyons
WILLIAMSTOWN, MA – The Williams women's soccer team dropped its second loss of the season today to the Wheaton Lyons (3-0-1) 2-1. The Lyons got goals in the first half from Lauren Corigliano and Laila Razzaghi, and despite a late rush from the Ephs (1-2-0), the two goals proved enough.
Wheaton scored off of its first real opportunity of the opening frame. Julia Cipriano crossed the ball inside from the right sideline. Eph goalie Hannah Van Wetter came out to make the play, but after getting a hand on the ball, it took a weird bounce in the box. Lauren Corigliano found the ball and finished on the open net to give the Lyons the 1-0 lead in the 22nd minute.
Williams looked to counter when Crystal Lewin's pass ahead into the box went through multiple defenders to Natalie Weyerhaeuser. Weyerhaeuser got the shot off just before the end line, but Wheaton goalkeeper Taylor Wilson made a great diving save to her right to keep the Lyons ahead.
Wheaton added to its lead with just over nine minutes to play when the Lyons were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out. Cat Amick kicked the ball towards the goal, where it rocketed off the crossbar. Laila Razzaghi got possession in the center of the box and found the back of the net to give the Lyons a 2-0 lead that they carried into halftime.
The Lyons came out of the break continuing to attack on the offensive end. The Ephs, however, were able to hold them. The Ephs continued to look for a goal, but strong defense from Wheaton held them for most of the half.
It looked like the Ephs might finally get a goal with just under fourteen minutes to play when Carla Nicasio had a beautiful cross from the left side. The ball sailed to the right side of the box, where Louisa Costa was able to get a foot on it. Her shot flew over the goal. The Ephs saw another good chance with just over six minutes on the clock when Samantha Vilaboa took a rocket of a shot from about 40 yards out. The shot, however, sailed just over the crossbar.
The Ephs' attacking game finally paid off when Hana Tomozawa fed the ball ahead to Costa at the top right corner of the box. Costa placed the ball perfectly into the top left corner of the net to get the Ephs on the board in the 88th minute. It looked as if the Ephs might tie it up with just less than thirty seconds to play when there was a through ball to Vilaboa. While the ball found the back of the net, the goal was called back due to a handball, and the clock ran out.
Wheaton outshot the Ephs by a tally of 13-11. Wilson recorded two saves for the Lyons while Van Wetter and Laura Wann had one save apiece for the Ephs.
Said Coach Michelyne Pinard after the game about her team's troubles in the attacking end, "Wheaton is really athletic and high pressure. They were putting us under a lot of pressure… It took us a little while to get comfortable with that and make good decisions under high pressure."
She was happy, however, with how her team responded despite going down early, "At halftime, I was curious to see what this team was capable of. We're working to find our competitive selves, and I think what we saw in the last ten minutes is what we're going for. Now that we've felt that urgency and sense of purpose, I feel good about moving forward."
The Ephs return to the field next Saturday to take on fellow NESCAC opponent Trinity in an away matchup. The game will take place at 1:00 PM.
Looking ahead, Pinard said, "I think we're fatigued. We went straight from preseason to three tough games. This week will be nice to recover, assess, and move forward."
