Owls Fall to #14 Williams

WESTFIELD, Mass. – Westfield State women's soccer dropped a 4-0 decision to #14-nationally ranked Williams College on Tuesday night from Alumni Field in Westfield, Mass.

The Ephs, which moved up a spot to #14 in the latest United Soccer Coaches top 25 poll, improve to 8-2-3 overall while the Owls fall to 5-5-6 on the season.

A pair of quick strike goals from Williams to begin both halves provided the 14^th ranked team in Division III separation in the match.

The Ephs struck less than five minutes into the match to take a 1-0 lead. Elizabeth Stophel (Chattanooga, Tenn.) gathered possession at the 15-yard line before turning up field then crossing a pass from outside the righthand side of the box. The ball found a charging Maya Lloyd (Lexington, Mass.) who was able to shield her nearest defender and place a right-footed shot that snuck inside the far post.

The Owls settled into the back half of the period, holding Williams to only one additional shot on goal which was saved by Kayla Santucci (Agawam, Mass.). Sophomore sweeper Kylie Tomasetti (Northborough, Mass.) played a pivotal role in keeping Williams from any additional chances reaching the net, blocking several shots as the last line of defense in front of Santucci.

Tomasetti also had the lone shot on goal for Westfield in the opening period, lofting a free kick from about 45 yards that was collected by Margaret Huelin (Farmington, Conn.).

In the second half, the Ephs scored nearly the same time into the final frame as the first half, with Lloyd tallying her second marker of the night 4:27 into the period to double their lead. Williams scored 4:03 into the first half.

Later in the half, an Owls foul in the box resulted in a penalty kick for Williams, allowing Stophel to bury a shot into the left side of the net for the Ephs third of the match, ultimately putting the game out of reach.

Williams controlled play for the majority of the contest, outshooting Westfield 29-4. The Owls had a pair of scoring chances in the second half, the first a wide shot from Morgan Berthiaume (Webster, Mass.) followed by a shot from just inside the box by Kiana Muratsuka (Wahiawa, Hawaii) which was saved by Huelin.

Santucci made three saves for Westfield while Mady Harmon (Holden, Mass.) entered the second half and made three saves, punching the third shot over the bar and out of play in what was a high danger chance for Williams.

Westfield State (4-0-2 MASCAC) will travel to Anna Maria for a MASCAC match on Friday night at 7:00 P.M.