Ephs drop first game of the season to Wheaton 4-2
WILLIAMSTOWN, Ma - The Williams College men's soccer team surrendered three second half goals in a 4-2 loss to visiting Wheaton College Sunday. The defeat marks the first of the season for the Ephs and snaps their win streak at three games.
Statistically, the two teams mirrored each other in shots (Williams: 20, Wheaton: 28), corner kicks (Williams: 4, Wheaton: 4), saves (Williams: 5, Wheaton: 5),and fouls (Williams: 13, Wheaton: 14) but the Lyons overcame the stalemate with a pair of goals from Yuri Moreira and a goal and two assists from Josh Solomon. The Eph offense was lead by Pierre Meloty-Kapell and Sam Empson who each recorded unassisted scores.
Wheaton (4-1-2) got quick goals to start each half to build a 2-0 lead only 1:12 into the second half, but Williams responded just 2:23 later when Meloty-Kapell corralled a rebound and knocked it in to cut the deficit to one goal. However, the Lyons refused to get rattled and restored their advantage with Moreira's first score with just over 25 minutes remaining in the game.
Once again, the Ephs would quickly react. This time when Empson converted a free kick from 20 yards out to bring the Ephs back within one. The score didn't remain 3-2 for long however as Moreira would notch a redirection goal just four minutes later to put the game out of the Ephs reach.
"Wheaton played very well, especially on the attack. They really broke us down in the one-on-one play." Remarked Ephs head coach Mike Russo. "We definitely know some things we need to work on."
The Ephs will have almost a week to do just that. Their next game is scheduled for next Saturday, the 27th, where they will be visiting Connecticut College.