November 3, 2011
Hamilton women’s soccer gave Williams a run for their money last Saturday when they played the Ephs in the NESCAC Women’s Soccer Championship quarterfinal. Hamilton was ranked sixth in the league and Williams was ranked third. Williams is a well-respected team in the NESCAC and has won the last four titles. When Hamilton played Williams earlier in the season, Williams walked away with a 4-0 win, but Hamilton knew that it could have gone differently and looked forward to a rematch.
This time Hamilton came out of the gates looking like a different team. Ten minutes into the first half, Emi Beetch ’14 crossed the ball to freshman Halle Becker, who found the back of the net to put the Continentals up early. Williams scrambled to catch up, but couldn’t catch a break through Hamilton’s defensive line led by Sarah Boak ’12. To no one’s surprise, goalie Liza Gergenti ’14 was unstoppable as usual.
Hamilton set the pace for the game and dominated the first half, but Williams snuck in a goal in the second half. The teams battled through two overtime periods and the game went into penalty kicks.
Erica Skinner ’12, Sarah Lasker ’14, Becker and Alex Rimmer ’13 all made their penalty kicks, and always reliable Gergenti made a clutch save to keep Hamilton in the game.
Williams goalie Laura Wann came out of nowhere and saved the last Hamilton shot, and Williams won.
Hamilton couldn’t help but feel ripped off after such a valiant effort, but they smiled through their tears as they looked back on a long successful season. Hamilton had a great run in their debut season in the NESCAC and they have certainly made a name for themselves. Hamilton looks forward to next season and to their next game against their newfound rival Williams. Chelsea Haight ’13 claims, “Williams better watch their backs next year!”