Quarterfinals - Saturday, October 27 #8 Wesleyan def. #1 Middlebury, 2-0 #2 Williams def. #7 Connecticut College, 3-0 #3 Amherst def. #6 Colby, 1-0 #4 Bowdoin def. #5 Hamilton, 3-2 Semifinals - Saturday, November 3 hosted by Williams #2 Williams def. #8 Wesleyan, 2-1 #4 Bowdoin tied #3 Amherst, 3-3  Bowdoin advances on Penalty Kicks, 4-3 Championship - Sunday, November 4 hosted by Williams #2 Williams tied #4 Bowdoin, 1-1 Williams advances on Penalty Kicks, 3-0

Championship Program  | Championship History  | Video

HADLEY, Mass. - Second seeded Williams will host the remaining rounds of the 2012 NESCAC Women’s Soccer Championship this weekend for the fourth time in the last six seasons. Prior to falling 2-1 to Amherst in last year’s title game, the Ephs collected four consecutive championships beginning in 2007. They gained home field advantage this year after eighth seeded Wesleyan stunned top seeded Middlebury 2-0 in the quarterfinal round on Saturday. In the process, the Cardinals became the second eighth seed in the past three seasons to advance to the semifinals.

Saturday’s doubleheader will get underway with an intriguing matchup between Williams and Wesleyan at 11:00 a.m. Third seeded Amherst and fourth seeded Bowdoin will then face off at 1:30 p.m. Advancing teams will square off for the NESCAC championship on Sunday at noon. At stake will be an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. Video coverage will be available for all three games.

Williams (11-3-1, 8-1-1 NESCAC) was riding a 10-game unbeaten streak until a 3-1 setback to Middlebury on the final day of the regular season ruined its chances for first place. The Ephs rebounded in Saturday’s quarterfinals, defeating Connecticut College 3-0. First year Abby Morss was one of three players to record goals for the hosts, who posted their seventh shutout of the year.

The midfielder has scored six times during her rookie campaign, while sophomore forward Alison Magruder has added five tallies. Senior Laura Wann and sophomore Hannah Van Wetter have split time between the pipes for Williams, surrendering seven goals apiece.

The Ephs will have to find a way to get past an upset-minded Wesleyan (7-7-1, 3-7-0 NESCAC) squad to have a shot at their fifth conference crown. After narrowly qualifying for the tournament, the Cardinals made their way to Vermont for a showdown with top seeded Middlebury. What proceeded was shocking. Despite managing just four shots, the Cardinals came away with a 2-0 win and a ticket to their second straight conference semifinal. First year forward Isabel Clements scored just over three minutes into the contest, and senior forward Laura Kurash iced things down the stretch.

Kurash has figured in on 12 of Wesleyan’s 20 goals this year, scoring nine and assisting on three others. She will enter the weekend ranked second in the league in points per game (1.40) and goals per game (0.60). The Cardinals have also received a boost from junior forward Kerry Doyle, who has dished out six assists. Sophomore Jessica Tollman has been the team’s featured goalkeeper. In 991 minutes played, she has posted a goals against average of 1.27.

In their regular season meeting on September 22, Williams came away with a 3-1 win.

Saturday’s second semifinal will pit Amherst (13-1-1, 8-1-1 NESCAC) and Bowdoin (11-3-1, 6-3-1). The two teams will meet for only the second time in postseason history after their epic clash in last year’s quarterfinals. Amherst entered the game as the top seed with an undefeated record but needed overtime to defeat the Polar Bears 3-2. They went on claim their third NESCAC championship the following weekend.

The Lord Jeffs began their title defense with a 1-0 triumph over sixth seeded Colby on Saturday. Junior forward Amanda Brisco scored the game’s lone goal in the 54th minute and is one of four Amherst players with six tallies this year. Senior midfielder Kathryn Nathan leads the NESCAC with 10 assists. Meanwhile, forwards Sarah Duffy, Megan Kim (Newport Beach, Calif.) and Chloe McKenzie have combined for 18 goals and seven assists. As a team, Amherst has outscored its opponents 43-8. First year goalkeeper Holly Burwick is among the league leaders in goals against average (0.56) and save percentage (.875). 

Bowdoin qualified for the semifinals for the first time since 2008 with its 3-2 win over Hamilton on Saturday. First year midfielder Jamie Hofstetter recorded a hat trick for the Polar Bears to equal championship records for goals and points. The midfielder has scored five times this season, while classmate Kiersten Turner has found the back of the net six times. Junior midfielder Molly Popolizio has chipped in with five goals and seven assists. Bowdoin fell 4-1 to the Lord Jeffs on October 14.

Wins by Williams and Amherst would set up a familiar championship rematch. The longtime rivals have met up in the NESCAC title game three of the past four years and four times overall. Both teams have come out on top two twice, and neither program has missed the postseason since NESCAC tournament play began in 2000.

Results for the NESCAC Women’s Soccer Championship will be available at the completion of each day on the NESCAC website.