Courtesy Williams Sports Information

Box Score

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Top-seeded Williams scored two early goals and never looked back as the Ephs earned the 2007 NESCAC Women's Soccer Championship with a 4-0 win over fourth-seeded Bowdoin. The NESCAC title is the second for Williams after winning the 2004 NESCAC crown, and it is the first time in program history that the team has gone 16-0

The Polar Bears (12-4-1) were making their first-ever appearance in the NESCAC title game. The wing gives Williams (16-0-0) the conference's automatic bid to the tourney which begins next week.

The Polar Bears and Ephs faced off earlier during the regular season on September 22 in Brunswick, Maine with the 1-0 result coming in favor of Williams. Bowdoin kept Williams engaged in a high pressure and closely matched game though, which is something that very few teams have been able to accomplish against the undefeated Ephs squad. In the opening minutes of play this afternoon it looked as though a similar game would take place once again.

Senior captain Ana Sani started off the Ephs' four goal outing at the 9:07 mark. Gabrielle Woodson, who finished the game with two assists and one goal, crossed the ball to Sani who was completely unmarked on the far left post. Once Sani received the cross she had plenty of time to settle the ball and nail a hard shot in the far right corner of the net.

Brianna Wolfson rounded out the two goal first period at the 24:48 mark after chipping in a rebound off the Polar Bears keeper.

The Ephs defense proved relentless from the first whistle, and Bowdoin managed only one shot in opening forty-five minutes that came with seven minutes left in the first half. The shots taken by each team today differed considerably when compared to their first match up. In September Bowdoin managed to outshoot the Ephs 12-9, while today Williams knocked off a staggering 28 shots compared to three shots by the Polar Bears.

Williams continued to expand their lead in the second half. At the 69:52 mark, Sarah Walmsley received a throw in from Sara Wild that sailed over her defender's head and right in front of Walmsley's feet. An undefended Walmsley crossed the ball to the far post, where Clare Gallagher found the back of the net for a wide open goal. Woodson iced the victory after a breakaway goal with less than four minutes left in regulation.

Kat Popoff (three saves) and Kelly Thomas (three saves) split time in net for the Polar Bears.

2007 NESCAC WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
First Round - Sunday, October 28 at Higher Seeds
at No. 2 Tufts 6, No. 7 Connecticut College 0
No. 6 Middlebury 1, at No. 3 Amherst 0
at No. 4 Bowdoin 2, No. 5 Trinity 0

Semifinals - Saturday, November 3 at Williams
at No. 1 Williams 4, No. 6 Middlebury 1
No. 4 Bowdoin 1, vs. No. 2 Tufts 1 - 2OT
Bowdoin advances on Penalty Kicks, 4-2

Championship - Sunday, November 4 at Williams
at No. 1 Williams 4, No. 4 Bowdoin 0