Courtesy Williams Sports Information

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. - Williams College earned a 2-0 victory over Ithaca College on Sunday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the 2008 NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament. The Ephs will travel to Greensboro, N.C. to compete in the national semifinals on Dec. 5 against Wheaton (Ill.). Ithaca ends its season at 17-3-2.

Willams (19-0-1) advanced to today’s quarterfinal contest after a first-round bye, a 3-0 defeat of Husson College, and yesterday’s come from behind 2-1 victory against The College of New Jersey. The Bombers recorded a first round shutout of Westfield State, 6-0, and then blanked Roger Williams University 2-0 to advance to the Sectionals. The Bombers have won their last five contest via a shutout, but couldn’t muster any offense against the always-tight Williams defense.

Sarah Wamsley and Gabrielle Woodson’s chemistry on the field continued in today’s contest. Teaming up for two goals yesterday against TCNJ, the two Eph forwards connected once more for the first score against Ithaca. With 12:49 remaining in the half, Walmsley fed the ball from the center to Woodson on the wing. Woodson ripped off a shot from the outside that fell just underneath the crossbar and into net.

It was not the only look for Williams in the first half, and the Ephs could have easily led by as many as three or four goals. Nearly ten minutes into the game, Woodson found herself one on one against the goalie. Bombers keeper Alyssa Stomayer deflected the ball. Sara Wild collected the loose ball and had a chance at the open net, but her shot sailed wide.

Although the teams played without the snow and ice of yesterday, the wind still played a huge factor in today’s contest. When either team had the wind at their backs, their shot total skyrocketed. In the first half, Williams played with the wind and knocked off 11 shots, while in the second half, Ithaca had 15 shots and many looks at net.

In a game that saw 32 combined called fouls, one foul just outside the goal box provided the perfect opportunity for the Ephs to pad their lead with an insurance goal in the second half. Jacqueline Russo took the free kick, and attempted to lob the ball to the far left side where a charging Ephs attack would look to score. Brianna Wolfson corralled the lob, but had no room to score, and passed to Wild who found the back left corner for the 2-0 lead.

Sinnenberg recorded five saves in the second half, off a blistering run of shots by the Bombers that saw Ithaca surpass Williams in shot totals 18-17, but most of Ithaca’s shots on goal were aimed right at the keeper.