The Hamilton College Continentals braved the elements and defeated the Trinity College Bantams 1-0 in NESCAC action at Hamilton's soggy Love Field on Saturday.
 
The Continentals remain unbeaten, improving to 10-0-2 overall and 7-0-2 in NESCAC play. Hamilton's victory sets up an epic NESCAC season finale at Wesleyan University (8-1-0, 6-1) on Saturday, Oct. 23. Hamilton – winners of six straight -- will secure the top seed in the 2021 NESCAC Women's Soccer Championship with a victory against the Cardinals.
 
Trinity (6-5-1, 2-4-1) came out of the gates with a strong game plan to counter the red-hot Continentals. The Bantams deployed a high press that pinned Hamilton back in its own half and thwarted attacking efforts for the majority of the first half.
 
However, it's hard to keep Rylie Mutton '23 quiet for too long, as Hamilton's star midfielder got the Continentals off the mark at the tail-end of the first half. After strong pressing down on Trinity's right wing by Hyla Mosher '23 and Erin Rayhill '25, Rayhill intercepted an errant pass and drove past a defender along the sideline. She proceeded to deliver a grounded cross to Mutton, who received the ball just inside the box. As she has done time-and-time again this season, Mutton calmly controlled the ball, glided past a defender, and smashed the ball just inside the far-left post past the outstretched arms of Trinity goalkeeper Mariana Cournoyer (eight saves). Mutton continued her dynamite season for the Continentals, as she leads the team with 14 points and is tied with Mosher for the team lead with six goals.
 
While the Bantams carried the play for pockets of the match, Trinity ultimately struggled to turn its possession into scoring chances. The Bantams mustered just two shots and a corner in the second half as puddles formed on the field due to the persistent downpours.
 
Caity Smith '23 had a solid but relatively uneventful match in goal for the Continentals. Smith, who didn't have to make a save, displayed a knack for knowing when and when not to come off her line to retrieve crosses and challenge Trinity attackers. Smith's goals against average dipped to 0.65 and her save percentage remained at .900 in nine starts.
 
Hamilton's backline had another strong day and contributed to the team's sixth clean sheet this season. The center back duo of Shayna Polsky '25 and Aidan Leahey '22 was its normally stout self, while Mackenzie Christensen '22 provided a fine performance in front of them in the defensive midfield. Christensen played a particularly important role in the early going, winning battles and providing precise service to Hamilton's forwards. The Continentals have conceded just two goals in their last seven matches.