MIDDLETOWN, CT -- Behind a goal from senior Sachi Siegelman and another from junior Caitlyn Clark, the Ephs defeated Little Three rival Wesleyan (3-2-0,1-2-0 NESCAC) today 2-0. The Ephs (4-1-0, 2-0-0 NESCAC) had double the Cardinals’ shots with 20 on the day, and their offensive fire proved overpowering for Wesleyan.

Although the Ephs started out aggressively on the offensive end with three looks at the net from Brett Eisenhart in the first half, it looked as if Wesleyan might be the first on the board when Kerry Doyle had two looks at the net within ten seconds of each other with just over five minutes to play.  One of her shots hit the post and the other went high, though, to keep the score at zeroes with time winding down.  In the 42^nd minute, however, the Ephs finally found the back of the net when the senior back Siegelman took a free kick from 35 yards out and fired the ball into the top right part of the goal.  The goal is Siegelman’s second on the year. Only Eisenhart – with three – has more goals for the Ephs.  Williams was able to hold the Cardinals off for the final three minutes of the half and went into the break with the lead.

Said Coach Michelyne Pinard about Siegleman’s goal: “[The goal was] off of a restart, so it was a direct, and she’s just so dangerous.  She can strike a ball from distance and that’s what happened today.  She took advantage of a great opportunity, and getting us on the board really settled us down.  As she always does, she help[ed] us get into good situations, and she played well in general too.  All three seniors are competing to lead the way, which has really been great.”

Coming out of the break, the Ephs looked to add some insurance, and it didn’t take them too long to do so.  Off of an assist from Nicole Stenquist, Clark finished with a high shot that went in right under the crossbar just over a minute into the half.  The Ephs did not lay off the offensive runs, however, with three shots apiece in the second half from Hayley Cook and Alison Magruder – including a nice header wide in the 77^th minute.  Defensively, Laura Wann kept them in the game with three saves in the second half after Hannah Van Wetter recorded one in the first.

After the game, Coach Pinard gave her thoughts: “I thought we did a good job of handling their speed with their forwards, who are pretty dangerous. I think through the game we got better and as we started playing more quickly, we started creating more chances.  I think we had some pretty dangerous opportunities in the second half that we didn’t finish on this time but I think we will down the road.”

The Ephs return home to play Bowdoin tomorrow.  Cole Field, unfortunately, is still not playable, so the game will be at MCLA at noon.

Said Coach Pinard looking towards tomorrow: “Back-to-back [games] on the road and then back home, that’s not easy, but I think the kids are focused and ready to play Bowdoin tomorrow.”

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