Courtesy Williams Sports Information

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Williams College battled wind, snow, and the College of New Jersey on Saturday afternoon, coming away with a 2-1 come-from-behind win to advance to the quarterfinals of the 2008 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament. The Ephs will face Ithaca, a 2-0 winner over Lynchburg, on Sunday for the right to advance to the national semifinals.

The win marks the eighteenth of the season for Williams, surpassing last year’s program record of seventeen wins. The squad advanced to today's game after being awarded a first round bye in the tournament, and defeating Husson College, 3-0, in the second round last weekend. Williams is now in the fourth round of the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999.

TCNJ dominated on their journey to the sectionals, dealing Morovian College and Western Connecticut shutouts in the first and second rounds. Their team of now is a far cry from earlier this season, as the Lions have lost eight starters to injury.

Neither team scored in the first half, although both teams had ample chances to take the lead.

Just two minutes into play, the Lions’ Jamie Kunkel let off a shot after a corner kick that just nicked the left crossbar. Ten minutes later, on the opposite end of the field, Gabrielle Woodson’s shot took the same course as Kunkel’s, finding the far left post.

Williams was presented with a golden opportunity, after TCNJ fouled an Eph inside the penalty box midway into the first half. Pinard chose defensive back, Lizzie Danhakl, to take the kick. Danhakl placed the ball well, but TCNJ’s goalkeeper Jessica Clarke read the ball's path, and made a tremendous save to keep the score even.

Although both teams played a solid first frame, Williams controlled the ball for most of the latter period of the half, out shooting the Lions, 12-6.

TCNJ picked up their play heading out of halftime, while Williams stumbled out of the gate in the early minutes. The Ephs were forced to play from behind for only the sixth time this season after Kunkel scored just five minutes into the second half.

After a defensive misstep, the Ephs had to play catch up and retreat downfield to defend a Lions charge towards goal. Coleen Weber collected the ball, dribbled past the midline undefended, and fed Kunkel a lob pass outside the goal box. A rushed Ephs defense saw Kunkel rip a ball to the top left corner, out of reach for the Ephs keeper, Lauren Sinnenberg.

Williams knotted the game at one-all at 63:40. Woodson played a cross that was recovered by Walmsley in the penalty box. She did not immediately act on her open look, and Walmsley took ample time before taking the shot that sailed into net to tie the score.

Woodson and Walmsley teamed up again at the 78:44 mark, reversing roles this time. Walmsley played the cross while Woodson waited on the wide open far post to recover and score on the empty net for the 2-1 advantage. The two late goals provided an energy boost to the squad, and the Ephs held on for the victory.

Clarke finished the game with seven saves, while Sinnenberg recorded four on the afternoon.