Women’s Lacrosse Moves Into National Top 10By Dick Quinn, Williams Sports Info
09:28AM / Tuesday, April 08, 2014 | |
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williams college women's lacrosse team (9-1/5-1 NESCAC), winners of seven straight, continues its climb in the national poll , where the Ephs are now 10th in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) rankings.
Considering that the Ephs did not receive a single vote in the IWLCA pre-season poll, their climb in the national poll this spring is dramatic.
The Ephs did not even crack the top 20 in the first poll during the regular season, but in the second poll on March 10 and the third poll on March 17 the Ephs were ranked 19th. In the last three weeks the Ephs have climbed nine spots going from 19th to 15th and then 12th last week, and now 10th.
Currently tied for third place in NESCAC with Trinity, the Ephs are one of just four NESCAC teams with one loss or less. First-place Amherst boasts a 6-0 NESCAC record, while Middlebury is 6-1.
Eight of the top 20 teams in this week's IWLCA poll are NESCAC members: Amherst (3), Middlebury (5), Trinity (8), Williams (10), Colby (11), Bates (14), Bowdoin (15) and Tufts (17).
Further, the Ephs' NESCAC opponent this afternoon, Hamilton, is now receiving votes fin the poll. Of their five remaining regular season contests the Ephs will face three teams in the top 20 and two currently receiving votes for consideration in the poll. Unranked RPI will host Williams on April 16th, while #13 Colby will host the Ephs this Saturday.
When their six-game road trip ends at RPI the Ephs will close out the regular season hopefully playing on Cole Field hosting #5 Middlebury (April 19) and #3 Amherst (April 23).
The Ephs average 11.3 goals a game and are allowing 6.4 per game. Senior captain and goalie Ali Piltch has played all 600 minutes thus far this season and she has made 69 saves and owns a save percentage of 51.9.
Three Ephs have netted 17 goals or more. Senior captain and attack Rebecca McGovern has scored a team best 21 goals and with nine assists has 30 points this season. Junior attack Bridget Malicki leads in points with 35. Malicki has scored 18 goals and assisted on 17. Junior Nancy Palmer, who sees time at both midfield and attack, has scored 17 goals and has registered two assists for 19 points.
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