A late goal by User Kushaina lifted Williams College to a dramatic, come-from-behind 2-1 double-overtime victory over Hamilton College on Tuesday at Continentals' home of Love Field. The win made Williams a perfect 3-0-0 (2-0-0 NESCAC) on the young season.

Kushaina's winner came just moments after a dangerous-looking Williams corner floated over everyone and bounced away, seemingly harmlessly. But the Ephs maintained possession and eventually got the ball to the feet of defender Chris Conder, who sent a brilliant left-footed cross to an unmarked Patrick Ebobisse in the right side of the penalty area. Ebobisse cut hard towards the net, forcing Continental keeper Eric Boole to come out of the net to cut down the angle. Ebobisse then slotted a crisp pass inside the six-yard box to an onrushing Kushaina, who tapped home the easy winner with 4:25 left on the clock and set off a celebration that culminated in a joyful Williams dog pile just outside the 18-yard-box.

Kushaina also helped to create the Ephs first goal. After winning a 50-50 ball from to Continental defenders, Kushaina streaked into space before sending a cross on the ground to fellow forward Mohammed Rashid. Rashid's dummy completely fooled the keeper, giving midfielder Matt Muralles a wide-open net to tie the game at one with just over half an hour remaining in the first half.

Hennie Bosman headed in a Griffin Abbott cross just moments into the first half to grab a temporary lead for Hamilton, which fell to 1-2-0 (0-2-0) after dropping its second straight home contest.

Neither team dominated the game from whistle to whistle (shots were 18-16 in favor of Williams), though the Ephs had a scare late in the second half when goalkeeper Pete Morrell faced a tough shot from Hamilton's Abbott from point-blank range. Morrell was up to the challenge, though, and steered the ball away for a corner.

In total, Morrell made six saves to earn the win in his first start of the year, a performance that impressed Coach Mike Russo.

"In overtime they had two great chances that Pete Morrell made great saves on," said Russo. "We have some very good goalkeepers, and he came up big on the day."

"I thought we played very well in the first half, we just weren't able to finish the chances we created," added Russo, who went on to credit his back line for buckling down after yielding the early tally and keeping the Ephs in the game when Hamilton went on the attack during the second half.

Overtime was a seesaw affair, with the waning sunlight appearing to hinder the Ephs as they pressed for a winner. Moments later, though, Kushaina's goal made it all moot and made it a great day for Williams.

"Winning this game, midweek, on the road, is delightful," said Russo.

Both Williams and Hamilton will travel to Connecticut on Saturday to face a NESCAC opponent, with the Ephs squaring off against Trinity at 12:30 p.m. and Hamilton kicking off against Connecticut College ninety minutes later.

---

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU

Men's Team of the Week: Nov. 25

Women's Team of the Week: Nov. 25

ECNL Boys Ohio Valley Players to Watch