Eliza Van Voorhis – Nothing But NESCAC

All Chalk? Women’s Soccer Semifinal/Final Preview

All Chalk? Women’s Soccer Semifinal/Final Preview

Last weekend’s quarterfinal matchups saw each of the top four seeds secure berths to the next round, setting up what should be yet another entertaining weekend of postseason fútbol. I feel pretty confident predicting Williams, Middlebury, Amherst and Tufts will earn NCAA Tournament spots; the first three teams are ranked #2, #6 and #15 (respectively) in the Top 25 rankings, and Tufts checks in as the #5 team in the New England Regional Rankings. A NESCAC Championship certainly wouldn’t hurt to add to any of these team’s respective résumés come seeding time, and it’s fair to say all four of the contenders will fancy their chances to snag the coveted trophy. Without further ado, let’s give our final four a proper introduction.

Saturday, November 3rd (Semifinal #1 @ Williamstown, Mass): #1 Williams vs. #4 Tufts

How did they get here:

#1 Williams secured their fifth straight regular season title with a 1-0 win against Middlebury. There was no letdown with these ladies, as they dispatched #8 Colby in the quarterfinals relatively easily by a tune of 3-1. The Ephs outshot the Mules 27-4, as three different players found the net. Georgia Lord ‘21 got things started early in the 9th minute, and Sarah Scire ‘20 doubled Williams’ lead shortly afterwards. Nkem Iregbulem’s ‘20 long range missile all but sealed the deal, ensuring the Ephs would advance to the semifinals.

I’ll admit, I had the Jumbos pegged for a potential upset given how they finished the regular season. Back-to-back losses, including the most recent one to Bowdoin, indicated that maybe this Tufts team could be headed for an early exit. A matchup with Wesleyan proved to be the perfect remedy for a squad who needed to iron out their kinks, and fast. Sunday’s 2-0 win was essentially a carbon copy of their regular season meeting; the Jumbos scored a goal in each half (this time thanks to Liz Reed ‘21), and limited Wesleyan to a mere three shot attempts. That’s the kind of dominating performance a mid-seeded team needs in order to gain confidence heading into a matchup with arguably the best team in the entire country.

Williams X-Factor: F Sydney Jones ‘21

Jones started the season on a tear, scoring six goals in Williams’s first six games; however, she’s gone on a cold streak since then, tallying just three goals in her last twelve matches.

Jones did score the lone goal in Williams’s 1-0 victory in Medford a few weeks prior and will look to break through once again against a defense that just stifled Wesleyan, who finished fourth in the ‘CAC in goals scored.

Tufts X-Factor(s): F Sophie Lloyd ‘21 and F Liz Reed ‘21

Both of these ladies deserve praise for the work they’ve done this season. Tufts’s offense would struggle mightily if it wasn’t for them, as the two have combined to score nearly half of the Jumbo’s conference goals. In this instance, one of them playing well will not be suffice enough to defeat Williams. Lloyd and Reed will both have to create multiple scoring chances in order for Tufts to spring the upset.

Preview and Prediction

2006. That’s the last time the Jumbos defeated the Ephs. Since then, Williams has won every single matchup sans a 0-0 tie in 2010. Throw in a few postseason encounters, and you get thirteen losses in fourteen games. Last season, the Jumbos were oh-so-close to getting the monkey of their backs, but fell in a heartbreaker to Williams in the NESCAC Championship, conceding the game-tying goal in the 81st minute and the winner in the 94th.

Both teams employ a defense-first style, frustrating opposing coaches with suffocating ball pressure; however, the offense, at times, can disappear. This is especially true for Tufts, who scored a mere eleven goals in their ten conference games and had the third-worst shooting percentage during the regular season. One glimmer for hope, however, is that when Tufts does score, it’s a collective effort. Although Lloyd and Reed are usually the main contributors, the Jumbos have generated a second-best 10 assists on conference goals season, and this type of ball movement will be crucial in order to break down the best defense in the NESCAC.

Usually I like revenge spots, but there’s just no way I can go against the Ephs. Talent-wise, they’re head and shoulders above the Jumbos, and William’s impenetrable back line has given up just four goals in conference play. Sure Colby found the net this past weekend, but the Ephs already had that game well in hand. Olivia Barnhill ‘19 is the best goalkeeper in the league, and I’m banking on the senior having yet another superb game. With home-field advantage for the regular season champions, I like Williams to win convincingly. Unfortunately for the Jumbos, the streak lives on.

Prediction: Williams 2-0 Tufts

Saturday, November 3rd (Semifinal #2 @ Williamstown, Mass): #2 Middlebury vs. #3 Amherst

How did they get here:

On Saturday’s lone fixture, 2nd-seeded Middlebury defeated the 7th-seeded Polar Bears 1-0. They say the final score is all that matters, but the stats indicate some concerns for this Panther squad. After Eliza Robertson ‘21 scored the game’s lone goal in the 19th minute, the Polar Bears proceeded to dominate the ball, desperately looking for an equalizer. Eva Shaw ‘20 recorded a career high 10 saves, bailing out the Panther defense time and time again. Bowdoin ended up outshooting the Panthers 19-10; maybe the Panthers were looking ahead, but if they replicate this performance on Saturday, the team will board their bus back to Vermont earlier than previously anticipated.

The Mammoths also endured a tight contest with 6th-seeded Hamilton, holding on for a 1-0 victory. Goal-scoring machine Rubii Tamen ‘19 scored for the fourth consecutive game, and Antonia Tammaro ‘21 made a spectacular save in the second half to preserve the shutout. The Mammoth defense has bounced back nicely since allowing a season-high three goals to Wesleyan, producing back-to-back shutouts. Granted, Trinity and Hamilton don’t even come close to Middlebury in terms of offensive productivity, but it’s surely a positive sign as we trek deeper into postseason play.

Middlebury X-Factor: F Eliza Van Voorhis ‘21

On a team loaded with offensive talent, Van Voorhis might be the best of the bunch. She leads the Panthers in goals and SOG, and Middlebury is undefeated this season when Van Voorhis finds the back of the net. She disappeared in last weekend’s quarterfinal against Bowdoin (0 SOG), and the Panthers will need Van Voorhis to, at the very least, be more involved in the flow of the game in order to move past Amherst. I expect a bounce back performance from the rising star.

Amherst X-Factor: GK Antonia Tammaro ‘21

Tammaro took over the starting keeper role after Amherst’s 3-1 loss to Middlebury, and she hasn’t looked back. Tammaro is just behind Barnhill in both save percentage and goals allowed per game. She had one hiccup in a 3-2 loss to Wesleyan, but has since responded well, making a combined 10 saves in their past two victories. It’s a tall task for any goalkeeper to keep the Panthers from finding the back of the net more than once, but if Tammaro can limit the Panthers to, at worst, a single goal, then she’ll give her offense a very good chance of springing the mini upset.

Preview and Prediction:

When these two met back in September, the score (3-1 Middlebury) did not indicate how close the game really was. The Mammoths actually held a slight shot advantage of 19-18, parlayed with a significant edge in corners (7-2). Moreover, Amherst was in the middle of a goalie conundrum as the former starter, Erica Sanders ‘20, conceded all three goals in 70 minutes of play. Amherst is a tough matchup for the Panthers; Tamen and the rest of the offense certainly have the capability to trade offensive blows with Middlebury. On the flip side, Amherst has proven it can irritate opposing offenses with a solid back line.

I’ve made it a point to make the Middlebury offense a focal point of the article, and for good reason: they’re the only NESCAC team averaging over two goals per game, and have assisted on 18 of their 25 conference goals. It’s a well-oiled machine that, when functioning up to their capability, is nearly impossible to play catch-up with. The Panthers didn’t earn the #2 seed based solely on their offensive skills, however; they sneakily have the second-best defense in the ‘CAC. Ursula Alwang ‘20 is an extremely talented goalkeeper in her own right, and had a spectacular performance against Amherst in their prior matchup, recording eight saves. However, she has not played in the past four games, with Eva Shaw stepping up in her absence.

The Panther offense has been quiet in their past two games, and they’re due for an explosion. Amherst will make some noise early, but Middlebury will tighten up when they need to. Then, that potent offense will take over and propel this team to victory, setting up a date with Williams.

Prediction: Middlebury 3-2 Amherst

We’re not done yet folks!

There’s still a championship game to be played following the completion of the semifinal matches. Thus, we’re giving readers a two-for-one special and providing a brief championship prediction. Hopefully I correctly predicted the two finalists or else this will blow up in my face.

Sunday, November 4th (@ Williamstown, Mass): #1 Williams vs. #2 Middlebury

This is the rematch NESCAC followers want; a titanic battle between the top two heavyweights of the league. A few weeks prior, Williams and Middlebury faced off in the regular season finale to decide who would claim the regular season title. It was Williams who prevailed on their home soil, stymying the Middlebury attack en route to a 1-0 victory. The Panthers outplayed the Ephs, holding an edge in shots (9-4). The lone goal was scored off a beautiful free kick from Aspen Pierson ‘21, bending the ball around the wall and past Shaw.

Having the best defense in the league certainly helps when you’re trying to contain the NESCAC’s best offense. The great Bear Bryant once said “defense wins championships”; I beg to differ for the sake of this article. The Panthers know they’re the better team, and once they skate by Amherst, they’ll be licking their chops at the opportunity to dethrone Williams on their own soil.

Moreover, Williams lost in the NESCAC tournament in 2014, won it all in 2015, lost in 2016, and won it again in 2017. This pattern of results is screaming for me to pick Middlebury, so I can’t just buck the trend now.

Prediction: Middlebury 2-1 Williams

We’re Talking About________: Women’s Soccer Quarterfinals Preview

As the GOAT of all GOATs Herm Edwards once said, “Playoffs?!?!?” Indeed, the season of single elimination is upon us. This time last year Williams was heading into the playoffs as the dominant force in the league only to lose in cinderella fashion to Trinity. There’s a definitive answer as to why the NFL playoffs, World Cup, and March Madness are more fun to watch than other playoff games: they’re single elimination. Anything can happen. The NESCAC is such a strong conference that any one of these teams can make a bid at a national championship. Let’s look at this weekend’s quarter final match ups.

Here is the schedule for the first round of the playoffs this weekend.

Amherst College (7) vs. Connecticut College (2), 11:30 AM

Connecticut College was shocked by Bowdoin last Saturday in an abysmal 2-0 loss. The high powered offense of the Camels just couldn’t get going. A loss going into the playoffs doesn’t bode well for the team because of shaken confidence. However, the Camels are the number two seed for a reason. All year they’ve proved to the league why they’re one of its best teams. The opponent, however, should scare the Camels. Amherst is 3-1 in its past three games. In any time of struggle or doubt, individuals turn to people they can depend on. Conn’s Michelle Medina ‘18 and Lauren Steele ‘18 are those people. The senior midfielders lead their team in scoring, while providing leadership as well. As noted in earlier articles, Conn is a diverse team filled with young playmakers and veterans. Look for the seniors to set the tone for the Camels. Hannah Guzzi ‘18 barely squeaked Amherst into the playoffs. A disappointing regular season almost kept Amherst out of it all together. Guzzi’s astonishing eleven goals allowed Amherst to obtain a coveted playoff spot. Now that they’re here, the team can’t fully rely on Guzzi if she’s shutdown. I think Conn will be too much for Amherst.

Prediction: Connecticut College 1-0.

Hamilton (6) vs. Middlebury (3), 12:00 PM

Middlebury did what Conn and Tufts couldn’t: beat Williams. The shocker gives Middlebury all the confidence in the world. Midd isn’t a flashy team that depends on scoring at a high rate. In fact, its offensive metrics are mediocre at best. The team simply wins games, however. Beating Wesleyan on a late cross in overtime and squeaking out a tight win against Williams show that Midd is a force to be reckon with because it plays a full ninety minutes. Eliza Van Voorhis ‘21, Virginia Charman ‘20, and Sabrina Glaser ‘20 are tied with a team leading eleven points thus far in the season. Hamilton is 4-2-1 in its last seven games. The team’s strong play is a result of stellar goalkeeping by Emily Dumont ‘18. Dumont’s 0.57 GAA is outstanding, and is a major reason why the team has played so well. Similar to Midd, Hamilton doesn’t have one player that dominates the offensive output. Therefore, it’s tough as an opponent to focus on whom to shut down. I like the way both teams are playing, but Midd is just too strong down the stretch.

Prediction: Middlebury College 2-1

Middlebury’s penchant for clutch play continued with a late goal by Anna Glovin to hand Williams their first loss.

Bowdoin College (8) vs. Williams College (1), 12:00 PM

Bowdoin has been a sleeper the entire season. Many people, including myself, wrote the team off at the halfway point. The Polar Bears handily beat Conn in a 2-0 fashion. This fact should scare Williams. Earlier in the year, the Camels almost pulled off the upset against the Ephs, only to be denied by an Eph corner kick in overtime. The Polar Bears are led by Morgen Gallagher ‘20, who has eleven points on the season. The sophomore F/M is a playmaker, dishing out five assists and scoring four goals. Williams doesn’t want last year repeating itself. Like I said in the introduction, single game elimination scares the Ephs. Like Herb Brooks stated, “If we play them [Soviets] ten times, they may win nine. But not this game. Not tonight.” Any team playing the Ephs know that they could pull off the miracle. Williams has to stick to its game plan and play its game. That being strong defensive play with aggressive steps by defenders and crisp passing. The Ephs generally don’t make too many mistakes, but they can’t start the game flat. Building a lead early on in a playoff game is a necessity and confidence builder. Alison Lu ‘20 and Natasha Albaneze ‘18 lead the team with sixteen points. I don’t see the Ephs letting last year or last Saturday against Midd repeat itself.

Prediction: Williams 2-0

Trinity (5) vs Tufts (4), 12:00 PM

Tricia Pollock — Tricia Pollack ’21 (Courtesy of Trinity Athletics)

I picked Tufts to beat Williams last week because the Jumbos were hot. Instead, they got trounced by the Ephs in an embarrassing fashion. The Jumbos had all the momentum in the world until they ran into the Ephs. The Bo’s need to remember that they’re still a really strong team. A 1-0 win against Bowdoin on Tuesday should remind them that. Like all year, Emily Bowers ‘19 has led the team; she continues to be at the top of the league in all goalkeeper metrics, along with Williams’ Olivia Barnhill. Bowers must continue to be the best Jumbo on the field if they want to make a deep run into the playoffs. After a shaky start to the season, the Bantams are coming into the playoffs hot. 4-1-1 in their last six games is a great accomplishment with playoffs starting right now. Tricia Pollock ‘20 has been the woman I’ve mentioned in all Trinity articles as the key to the Bantam’s success. She’s the leader in points for the Bantams, and will be the difference maker for them down the stretch. Picking the hot team in the playoffs is the smart choice, however. I’m going with the Bantams.

Prediction: Trinity 2-1 OT

The Play(off)’s the Thing: Women’s Soccer Power Rankings 10/11

As we trudge through midterms and think about the glorious prospects of Fall break, NESCAC Women’s Soccer nears the end of its regular season with only two weekends left of conference play. Williams and Connecticut College sit atop the division, while Wesleyan and Colby round out the bottom. Tufts and Middlebury look to finish the regular season strong, and build momentum going into the playoff season.

Here are my mid-season power rankings:

1). Williams College Ephs

It’s hard to argue that any other team is more deserving of the number one spot in the power rankings. The Ephs have yet to lose a game all year, including conference and nonconference play. The Ephs are like the Patriots. When New England trailed Atlanta by twenty-five points, Falcons WR Taylor Gabriel told an arrogant Mohamed Sanu, “But they have Tom Brady, though” when Sanu stated the Patriots couldn’t come back. Two weeks ago, the Ephs edged the flaming hot Camels to break their hopes of an undefeated season on a seemingly harmless corner kick in OT. No matter how many goals the Ephs are down by, they are that team that always finds a way to come back. The most staggering statistic to point to the Ephs’ success is their goals against, which is a mere four goals (the next best GA team is Conn with six). Liz Webber ‘20 has come back this season from an injury that kept her out the entire 2016 campaign, and has been an integral part of the Ephs’ offensive and defensive prowess. The rest of the regular season schedule isn’t too challenging for the Ephs, but in all likelihood, they will have to beat the Camels if they want to fulfill their quest for a national championship.

It’s been nothing but smiles for Williams so far this season.

2). Connecticut College Camels

The Camels didn’t disappoint the alumni at homecoming last weekend. They trounced the Bates Bobcats 3-0. I predicted the game would’ve been a tighter one; nevertheless, the Camels showed to the rest of the conference that they’re a special team. Before the season, many people believed that the conference hierarchy was the Ephs at the top, a fifty-foot drop, and then the next team, which wasn’t even comparable to the Ephs. The Camels replied to this statement, “No, not this year. There’s a new sheriff in town.” That sheriff is none other than Kat Norton ‘21. The freshman sensation is second in the conference in goals—notching two in the decisive win over Bates. Most teams rely on veteran players being the difference makers in conference games, so the unrelenting production from Norton has propelled Conn to one of the best teams in the conference. GK Bryanna Montalvo ‘18 has been one of the best in the NESCAC all year—giving her team a chance in tightly competitive games. A NESCAC championship between Conn and Williams would be a thriller, and the victor has a great shot at securing a national championship.

3). Middlebury College Panthers

The Panthers currently rank fourth in the NESCAC. They’re a very good team that excels on both sides of the field. A late goal in a 2-1 OT win over Wesleyan on Sunday showed the team’s tenacity. The conditions were brutal with a humid rain. With ten seconds left in the first overtime period, Eliza Van Voorhis ‘21 scored on a beautiful cross just outside the box from one of her Panther teammates. Wesleyan was just coming off a big win against Colby, and looked like they possessed all the momentum in the world. However, the persistence Middlebury showed by not giving up with only ten seconds to play in the overtime period illustrates that they’re going to be a good team down the stretch. If I were Conn or Williams, I would be worried in a 0-0 playoff game in the second-half against Midd.

Caitlin Magruder ’20 scored her first goal of the season, and Middlebury persevered in OT against Wesleyan.

4). Tufts University Jumbos

The Jumbos must be feeling left out. With all the noise Conn has made, Tufts hasn’t been giving the spotlight they deserve. They’ve put together a very good season thus far, ranking third in the NESCAC. GK Emily Bowers ‘19 has played quite impressively all season with her name in the top five of saves and save percentage. Sophie Lloyd ‘21 leads the team with an impressive five goals. The ‘Bos only have Bates and Bowdoin left on their schedule, which are winnable games. If they can do that, the ‘Bos will enough momentum to possibly knock off the league’s top dogs come playoff time.

5). Trinity College Bantams

After a mediocre start to the season, the Bantams are 2-0 in their past two conference games. Albeit the wins are against Wesleyan and Bowdoin, wins are wins no matter who they come against. The Bantams should be feeling good about themselves after those two conference wins. I predict, however, that those smiles will go away after they travel to both Middlebury and Connecticut College for their next two conference games. Rhone O’Hara ‘20 leads her team in points, and has been a force on defense throughout the year. Right now, the Bantams sit in the middle of the pack in the standings, but look for a fall after a ominous weekend.

6). Hamilton College Continentals

At this point in the season, the Continentals are trying to win out to avoid playing Williams or Conn in the first round. Therefore, these next two games are critical for them. This last weekend didn’t treat Hamilton too well with a loss against the Jumbos and a tie against Amherst. A win in both games would’ve propelled Hamilton up into the upper-tier of the standings. Now, they don’t carry much momentum from earlier in the season anymore. GK Emily Dumont ‘18 has been a stud in net, however. She has won the Continentals some games that could’ve gone either way. The goal scoring went dry last weekend, and that must change if Hamilton wants to have a deep playoff run.

7). Wesleyan University Cardinals

I avoid as much bias as I can in my writing, so choosing the one win Cardinals as the seventh team in my power rankings may be a shocker to some. Look, the Cardinals had some really tough breaks on Sunday. After a decisive win against Colby on Saturday, the team almost beat Middlebury on Sunday. One of the team’s best players, Liz Young ‘19, went down with an injury during the game. Another Cardinal injury only plagued them more. Even though the Cardinals haven’t looked great all year, Emily Ribatt ‘21 and Carly Bechtloff ‘21 have been key freshman contributors. Bechtloff’s hustle and keeping a play alive in the corner led to a nifty Ribatt cross, which tallied the only Cardinal goal in the Middlebury game. It is premature to say, however, that the Cardinals have a good chance at making the playoffs since Williams comes to Middletown on Saturday. Sports are weird, though. Anything can happen.

Wesleyan battles, which is a trait that could serve them well if they can sneak into the playoffs.

8). Bates College Bobcats

A week ago, I would’ve put the Bobcats at least top five in these rankings. An upset loss to Bowdoin last Wednesday and a loss to Conn on Saturday have really turned the Bobcats’ season upside down. I know that Conn was going to be a really hard game to win, but Bowdoin represented a winnable game. Losses like that hurt down the stretch because as a lower seed in the playoffs, the Bobcats will likely face the Ephs or Camels. The Bobcats have depended way too much on GK Sarah McCarthy ‘18. She leads the league in saves, and has shown she’s one of the best in the conference. Bates’ fall from the top of the league has been surprising, but their season isn’t over. The toughest games are out of their way, and winning out is a must to avoid Williams and Conn in the early rounds of the playoffs.

9). Bowdoin College Polar Bears

Bowdoin, unlike Bates, must’ve felt really good about themselves after Wednesday’s game. Any win against a Maine NESCAC opponent is significant. Right now, Bowdoin’s on the outside looking in regarding the playoff picture. They aren’t a hot team, so facing Hamilton and Conn next week will be tough. Picking up a win against Hamilton would be huge, but I don’t see that happening. Look for the Polar Bears to stay around #9 in the power rankings through the rest of the regular season.

10). Amherst College Mammoths

To say this season has been a disappointment for Amherst is an understatement. Normally, Amherst is really good. Like really good in just about everything— sound familiar, Williams? Therefore, a single win in conference play so far is quite shocking for an Amherst team. They’re scoring goals, but simultaneously they’re letting way too many in. They’re tied with Bates for the league’s worst in goals against. With only a few weeks left in the season and without much playoff hope, it’s now all about pride for Amherst.

11). Colby College Mules

In my high school’s athletic conference, there were numerous awards. The top team award was obviously the league championship. Nevertheless, all the awards were great, except one: the sportsmanship award. In New England prep school athletics, sportsmanship was code for ‘we feel bad for you’. In watching Colby play, they’re not a bad team, they’re really not. They don’t deserve the ‘sportsmanship’ award. A lot of the games they’ve lost were close. Obviously someone has to be last in the power rankings, but I will make excuses for Colby. They’re much better than their record. Look for a turnaround in the 2018 season because Colby truthfully has nowhere to go but up.

Can Anyone Beat Williams?: Women’s Soccer Weekend Preview 9/23

Editor’s Note: We’d like to welcome another new writer to the fold! Andrew Martin is a first year at Wesleyan, and he’ll be doing a lot of work with the newer sports for our coverage (Soccer and Hockey.) Andrew really like pina coladas and dancing in the rain.

One of the nation’s best women’s soccer conferences is back for its 2017 campaign. Perennial powerhouse Williams College is already off to a perfect season. Squads like Wesleyan and Colby look to bounce back after a tough stretch of league-play last year and uneven starts this season. And all this while Tufts, Bowdoin, and Conn seek to ascend from the middle of the pack to the upper-echelon of the conference. Forget all the speculation, anything can happen in the ‘Cac, and the season is already in full-swing. Let’s check out the games this weekend.

September 23, 2017:

Trinity (Conference: 0-3-0, Overall: 1-4-0) vs. Colby (Conference: 0-2-1, Overall: 2-2-1) (11:00 A.M., Waterville, ME)

Olivia Greif ’21 (Courtesy of Colby Athletics)

Both the Bantams and the Mules seek their first conference win in the 2017 season. Colby comes off a 3-0 defeat at the hands of conference-leader Williams. However, there is a bright spot for Colby in the form of Olivia Greif ‘21. Greif ranks third in the NESCAC in points, goals, and assists. With only one conference goal thus far, the Mules need to start generating some offense to have any shot at competing with the conference’s elite, and Greif is the biggest key to that struggle. Similarly, Trinity comes into play with zero conference goals. Keeper Julia Pitino ‘18 ranks fourth in the NESCAC in saves. Although it’s tough to categorize this game as a must win for both teams so early in the season, going winless into the third weekend is incredibly hard to come back from.

Hamilton (Conf: 1-2-1, Overall: 2-2-1) vs. Connecticut College (Conf: 2-0-1, League: 4-0-1) (11:30 A.M., New London, CT)

Michelle Medina ’18 (Courtesy of Connecticut College Ahtletics)

Hamilton comes into this weekend coasting off of a 1-0 win over the Bantams. The biggest reason for that win was keeper Emily Dumont ‘18, who ranks second in the NESCAC in saves. With three conference goals at this point in the season, it’s clear that the Continentals can generate offense, but to move into the top-three teams in the league, Dumont has to continue to be a rock in between the pipes. The Camels have nothing but confidence without a loss in the conference or overall play yet. Part of that reason is Michelle Medina ‘18, who leads the team with three of its five goals. Connecticut College could be the sleeper team to win the NESCAC this year, but before they think of Williams, they have to defeat Hamilton.

Amherst (Conf: 1-1-0, Overall 3-2-0) vs. Williams (Conf: 4-0-0, Overall: 5-0-0) (12:00, Williamstown, MA)

Olivia Barnhill ’19 (Courtesy of Williams Athletics)

When asking a Williams/Amherst player if they had a successful season, a single question determines 90% of the answer: did you beat Williams/Amherst. The upset loss to Trinity in the playoffs last year surprised us all, but the Ephs were ready to, as Big Sean put it, ‘bounce back’. Even though the loss of 2016 NESCAC POY Kristi Kirshe was a major blow to the Eph’s defense, Williams has already flown off to an incredible start. Led by 2016 2nd team all NESCAC keeper Olivia Barnhill ‘19, the Ephs strong defense acts as a complement to its dominant offense. Amherst, in contrast, hasn’t had such a stellar season so far. Sitting in the middle of the pack in the NESCAC, a win at Williams’ homecoming could provide enough momentum to push them up to the top of the league. If they pick up a win, but don’t win the ‘Cac, I’m sure they’ll still deem the season as a success.

Middlebury (Conf: 1-1-1, Overall: 3-1-1) vs. Bowdoin (Conf: 0-2-1, Overall: 1-2-1) (12:00 P.M., Brunswick, MA)

Eliza Van Voorhis ’21 (Courtesy of Middlebury Athletics)

This game could be a season-changer for both the Panthers and Polar Bears. Ascending from the middle of the NESCAC is always tough, but a conference win (and a conference loss) is pivotal for both teams. Middlebury comes into play with as many goals for as goals against, an equilibrium that coincides with their win-loss record. Eliza Van Voorhis (‘21) leads the Panthers in goals, but there has been scoring contributions from the rest of a stellar first year class as well. Eliza Robinson ’18 and Leah Salzman ’18 have both contributed to Middlebury’s offense as well. Bowdoin is led by Nikki Wilson (‘18), who had two goals in their opener, but the whole team has struggled since then. They have no players in the top five of any offensive/defensive statistical categories in the NESCAC. Traveling from NESCAC’s mediocre to its elite is tough, but it starts with this game for both teams.

Bates (Conf: 1-0-0, Overall: 2-1-0) vs. Wesleyan (Conf: 0-1-1, Overall: 2-1-1) (11:00 P.M., Middletown, CT)

Kinsey Yost ’19 (Courtesy of Wesleyan Athletics)

The Bobcats look to stay perfect in conference play when they travel to Middletown to play the Cardinals. Wesleyan looks to snatch that first conference win of the season after a tough tie to Bowdoin last weekend. Led by star defender Kinsey Yost ‘19, the Cards only have two goals against in conference play, but need to generate some offense to be successful. Emily Ribatt ‘21 has been the energizer bunny for the team with her speed and ball skills, but the Cardinals need to start putting the balls in the back of the net in conference play. Bates, on the other hand, has only played one conference game– squeaking out a 1-0 against Hamilton two weeks ago. It’s tough to determine with Bates’ limited sample size how this game will play out, but expect a defensive game with a couple bounces determining the outcome.

Other Conference Games This Weekend (9/23):

September 24, 2017:

Bates vs. Williams (12:00 P.M., Williamstown, MA)

Connecticut College vs. Amherst (2:00 P.M., Amherst, MA)

2017 Standings (as of 9/19/2017):