CLINTON, N.Y. – Williams College's Kiki Higgins scored two goals and converted the deciding attempt in the shootout as the Ephs pulled out a 4-3 NESCAC win against the Hamilton College Continentals at Hamilton's Goodfriend Field on a chilly Wednesday evening, Oct. 22.
Season Update
- The seventh-ranked Continentals (10-4, 5-4 NESCAC) had won their previous three games. Hamilton is in seventh place in the conference standings with one contest remaining.
- Williams (7-6, 5-3) had dropped its last five games. The Ephs played their sixth straight ranked opponent.
How It Happened
- Williams' Laura Ryan was unsuccessful on the Ephs' fifth shootout attempt, but after a video review, the officials determined Continentals goalie Kelly Janssen '28 fouled Ryan and awarded Williams a penalty stroke. Higgins, who was turned away by Janssen in the shootout's first round, put the stroke in the back of the cage and gave the Ephs a 3-2 lead. Williams goalie Ellie Smith (seven saves) stopped Hamilton on its fifth attempt and clinched the victory for the Ephs.
- Isabelle Nahon '27 and Morgan Clarke '28 had given the Continentals an early 2-0 lead in the shootout with successful attempts.
- The shootout result spoiled a wild comeback bid by Hamilton after the Continentals fell behind 3-0 late in the third quarter.
- Shaw Huston '28 started the rally with 1:16 left in the third when she redirected a pass from Brighton McMahon '29 and the ball somehow managed to get through a charging Smith and into the cage.
- Sammy Higgins '26 pulled Hamilton within a goal 2:37 into the fourth quarter. Higgins inserted on a penalty corner and tipped a ball that Nahon directed towards the cage.
- Clarke tied the score with 4:11 remaining in the fourth following another corner. Nahon sent a pass across the top of the arc and Clarke blasted a one-timer past Smith.
- The Continentals nearly ended the game early in the second 10-minute overtime period when they were awarded three corners that resulted in three shots on goal and another by Claire Tratnyek '26 that banged off the left post.
- Kiki Higgins gave Williams a 1-0 lead 5:06 into the first quarter. Hamilton had a chance to draw even 2:14 into the second quarter on a penalty stroke, but the shot bounced off the left post. The Ephs' Sawyer Rowland made it 2-0 with 7:58 to go in the second. A Williams penalty stroke missed everything 2:22 into the third quarter, but Kiki Higgins scored on another one with 1:58 left in the quarter.
Notes
- Higgins notched her fourth goal this season – all in the last seven games.
- Huston and Clarke scored their first career goals for the Continentals.
- Nahon registered the first multi-assist game of her Hamilton career and is tied for the team lead with four.
- McMahon has at least one point in three of the last four games and three assists total.
- Janssen, who is the NESCAC Player of the Week, entered the game at the start of the third quarter and made a season-high six saves.
- Abby Griffin '26 turned away three shots in the first half for the Continentals.
- Hamilton is 2-2 in shootouts and 4-3 against ranked teams this fall.
Next Game
The Continentals host Trinity College (3-10, 1-7) for another conference game and regular season finale on Saturday, Oct. 25 at 11 a.m.