Ephs to host NCAA 2nd Round Game Sunday

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The Williams College women’s soccer team, ranked No. 1 in the country in the latest NSCAA/adidas Div. III  poll, was awarded a first-round bye in the NCAA Tournament and will host a second round game Sunday, Nov. 16.

The Ephs became the first NESCAC team in women’s soccer to earn back-to-back conference championships with a 3-2 overtime win over archrival Amherst on Sunday. They advanced to the Sweet 16 in 2007 before being eliminated.

Williams (16-0-1) will face the winner of Wednesday’s first round NCAA contest between Husson (15-4-0), the champion of the North Atlantic Conference, and Norwich (15-4-2), champions of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.

Game time Sunday will be 1 p.m. Tickets will be $6 for general admission, $3 for senior citizens and students, $2 for children ages 3 to 12 and free for anyone ages 2 and under.

Husson defeated Umaine-Farmington in the NAC title game, 2-1. The Eagles have scored 85 goals over 19 games this season, led by junior Shelby Bradford, who has accumulated 60 points (23 goals, 14 assists) on the year. Husson last played in the NCAA Tournament in 2003.

Norwich defeated Emmanuel, 2-1, in overtime to win the GNAC championship. Senior Leanne Waterman scored off a cross from Nikki Szczepanski 5:59 into the first extra session for the game-winner. Szczepanski leads the team with 21 points (7 goals, 7 assists). It is the first NCAA Tournament appearance for the Cadets.

The Ephs rallied to defeat Amherst Sunday when senior Gabrielle Woodson scored off an assist from Brianna Wolfson to tie the game with 4:01 remaining in regulation. Junior Sarah Walmsley scored the game-winner off a pass from Woodson just 2:38 into overtime.

The Ephs have outscored their opponents 48-9 this season and have allowed more than one goal in a game twice. Junior Lauren Sinnenberg has compiled a .50 goals against average and an .844 save percentage while posting seven of the team’s 10 shutouts.

Sinnenberg has been supported by the steady play of her defense, led by senior back Caitlin Colesanti, sophomore Kara Duggan, sophomore Lizzy Danhakl and sophomore Anne Marie Burke.

Woodson paces the team with 31 points (12 goals, 7 assists) while junior Brianna Wolfson is right on her heels with 28 points (10 goals, 8 assists). Other top Ephs goal scorers include Sara Wild (7) and Annelise Snyder (5).