Williams Upends Bowdoin in Field Hockey Semifinals

Courtesy Williams Sports Information

MIDDLEBURY, Vt - Alix Rorke's Williams field hockey team won its 11th game of the year (11-4) and 7th in a row by downing Bowdoin 2-1 (13-3) in the semifinals of the NESCAC tournament this afternoon at Middlebury College.

After a scoreless first half, Rorke's Ephs broke on top at 22:06 of the second half when Tara Boyd scored an unassisted goal. Boyd's score came off a rebound of a shot by Stef Noering. The Ephs protected the 1-0 lead for 21:20 until Bowdoin's Beth Sherman converted a pass from Jackie Templeton with just 46 seconds left in the game to knot the score at one.

As time ran out, a corner was called which gave Williams one final chance to score before overtime would be played. Sophomore Tori Scott scored from the top of the circle off of the corner to propel the Ephs into tomorrow's NESCAC Championship game against arch rival Amherst. Sophomore Molly Jennings assisted on the game-winner.

"I was very proud of how our team responded after we gave up a goal with just 46 seconds left," said Eph head coach Alix Rorke. "We went right down the field and got a corner and then got another. No goalie was going to stop Tori's shot. She just ripped it off the goalie's pads and over her head into the goal."

The win by the Ephs avenges their regular season loss at Bowdoin 2-1 in the second game of the year. "I'm, of course happy with the win," said Rorke, "but to be honest I think Bowdoin may have played a better game than we did even though we out shot them 25-6."

Eph goalie Monelle Quevillon faced two shots all day, while Bowdoin's Gillian McDonald faced eight shots and stopped six. "Rebecca Kiselwich was awesome for us today on the flank," said Rorke.

Williams and Amherst will play for the NESCAC title tomorrow at noon at Middlebury. The winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.