Williams Earns 2-1 Win Over Keene St. in NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament

Courtesy Williams Sports Information

KEENE, N.H. - The Williams College men's soccer team used two goals from sophomore Connor Smith to propel them to a 2-1 victory over Keene State in the second round of the NCAA tournament Sunday. The win avenges the Ephs home loss to Keene State in September.

The Owls stuck first when senior midfielder Caleb Patterson punched in a cross at 26 minutes in. However, the Ephs responded quickly when solid freshman forward Gaston Kelly launched a turn-around cross that found the head of a streaking Connor Smith who put it away seven minutes later.

The Ephs would continue to apply heavy pressure for the remainder of the half, but despite creating several chances, they were unable to notch another goal.

The Ephs didn't miss a beat in the second half, and were able to force play into the Owl half. The consistent pressure was converted into the game winning goal when, in a sequence reminiscent of the their first goal, senior back Will Ford's cross was converted by the head of Connor Smith at the 66:14 mark.

The Ephs transferred their offensive pressure into defensive pressure, and were able to lock down the goal for the remainder of the game.

The Ephs get their third chance to beat Middlebury next weekend in the sectional round of the NCAA Tournament. Middlebury defeated the Ephs 1-0 on October 13th off of a late goal, and tied the Ephs in the 2007 NESCAC Men's Soccer Championship but advanced on penalty kicks.