The men’s soccer team (9-6-1, 6-4-1 NESCAC) ventured deep into the Berkshires to take on the Ephs of Williams (11-2-2, 8-1-1 NESCAC) in a semi-finals match of the NESCAC championships on Saturday. This was the second consecutive season that the Cardinals met the Ephs in the semi-finals match, and this was also the second consecutive season that Williams was able to dispose of Wesleyan to advance into the championship game. Despite the season ending loss, the 1-0 game showed the improvements that the team has made relative to the rest of the NESCAC since its 3-1 loss to the Ephs in last year’s playoffs.
The Williams men came out in the first half flexing their offensive muscle. With play predominately on the Wesleyan half of the field, it was up to the defense to contain the Ephs. Both the defensive line and goalie Dan Penrod ’05 were up to the task as both teams entered the half scoreless.
Hoping to shift the play in their favor, the Cardinals intensified their offensive pressure as the second half wore on with still no score. Both teams continued to pound in shots on goal, with a combined 24 shots for the day, and eventually Williams was able to make the most of one as they scored in the seventy-eighth minute.
With only 12 minutes remaining, it became an uphill battle for the Cardinals as their chances of toppling the top-ranked Ephs faded. Although the Cardinal offense played some dangerous balls into the box, the men were unable to capitalize on the opportunities and the match concluded 1-0.
At the end of the game, the team was quick to acknowledge that despite falling short of the NESCAC championship, the season was successful on the whole.
“It was definitely a special year for the whole team,” said Jared Ashe ’07. “To make it to the NESCAC final four for two straight years shows that this program is making strides. We did some things this year that no Wes soccer team has done, but there is no doubt that we are going to be hungry for a NESCAC championship and an NCAA berth next year.”
Although the program looks hopeful for the future, with many returning starters and a bright freshman class, the Cardinals will not be sporting the same lineup next year.
“We lost a ton of great seniors who really lead the team, so it is going to be a challenge next year,” said Peter “Hooterific” Glidden ’07. “The midfield and defense were anchored with seniors, but I think we will be ready, we have a lot of firepower coming back.”
The team’s eight seniors all played significant roles on the team, with six holding regular spots in the starting lineup. Although the seniors will be missed, the men’s soccer team is clearly on the rise and looks to be one of the teams that will contend for the NESCAC title in the years to come.
The Williams soccer team went on to defeat Middlebury in the finals in a 1-0 game. It was Williams’ fourth-straight NESCAC championship and the Ephs will once again look to challenge for a NCAA title.