NORTON, MA - Led for the second day in a row by a goal from Brett Eisenhart, the women’s soccer team won their second straight game today against Wheaton (Mass.).  The Ephs (2-0-0, 1-0-0 NESCAC) handed the Lyons (2-1-1) their first loss of the year.

Said Coach Michelyne Pinard after the game about winning their second straight on the road: “I don’t think our ten first-years get how big getting two wins on the road against teams like we’ve played is. It means everything. It gives us the confidence to keep getting better… There’s no doubt we’re getting better every time we step on the field together.

The first half passed uneventfully for both teams.  The Ephs started off with two looks at the net by Caitlin Clark, but Wheaton keeper Lindsay Leddy was able to scoop them up.  Chloe Kuh and Hana Tomozawa also had shots in the opening 45 minutes, but the Ephs and the Lyons entered the half with no change on the scoreboard.

The Ephs came out of the break energized and ready, though, for what the Lyons had to throw at them.  Clark was able to connect with Eisenhart in the 50^th minute.  Clark crossed the ball from the right side to Eisenhart in close, and the attacker was able to put the ball around Leddy to give the Ephs the only goal they would need.  Clark and Eisenhart connected yesterday as well on the Ephs’ first goal of the season.  Said Coach Pinard following the game about Clark’s ability to see the field, “Cait does a great job of making decisions…. Her ability to find people with that final ball is spectacular.”

The Ephs continued to pressure until the final moments with Eisenhart leading the way with four shots in the second half and Tomozawa adding another two.  The Ephs totaled 13 shots on the day. Williams took the only three corners of the game in the second half.

Wheaton saw an opportunity in the final three minutes when Emily Vincunas fired a ball at the net, but first-year goalie Hannah Van Wetter was there to make the play.  Van Wetter had five saves in the second start of her college career.

Williams will take the field at home for the first time this season on Saturday.  The 5^th-ranked Ephs will take on top-ranked Messiah at 11:00.   Said Coach Pinard looking towards Saturday, “I think we’re ready for the physical battle Messiah’s going to bring.”  She added, “The preparation won’t be any different [because they are the top-ranked team], but I think there’s an awareness that every single person has to be at the top of their game in order for us to compete, and I think we’re ready to do that.”

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