WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Williams College women's soccer began its attempt at a repeat journey to the National Championship game on Saturday morning, as it took on Westfield State in the opening round of the 2015 NCAA Tournament.

 

After a season-ending injury nine games into last season, sophomore Natasha Albaneze took the field for the first time in the NCAA Tournament and turned in a match-winning performance, notching the game-winning goal and an assist, leading the Ephs to a 3-0 win over the Owls.

 

With the win, the Ephs (17-1-1) advance to the NCAA 2nd Round to be played tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. on Cole Field, which will see a rematch of last year’s Elite 8 matchup with the College of New Jersey. The Ephs took that encounter 1-0 to book their spot in the Final 4.

 

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

WATERFORD, Conn. - On Saturday, the Williams men’s cross country team competed at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Championships. Connecticut College hosted the meet at Harkness Memorial State Park, overlooking Long Island Sound.

 

In a field of nearly 60 teams, the Ephs edged out a narrow victory over rival Amherst 67-68. These two teams qualified automatically for the NCAA Championships on November 21 in Winneconne, Wis. Tufts took third with 80 points. The remaing team and individual NCAA qualifiers will be announced on Sunday.

 

The men’s 8k race was won by Mohamed Hussein of Amherst in 24 minutes, 39 seconds. Bijan Mazaheri of Williams was second in 24:42. Luke O’Connor of Tufts placed third in 24:43.

 

Each of Williams five scorers earned All-Region honors by placing in the top 35.

 

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY

WATERFORD, Conn. -- Hannah Cole finished second to lead the Williams women's cross country team to victory at Saturday's NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship.

 

Cole finished in 21 minutes, 43 seconds, behind MIT's Maryanne Gong (21:36). Williams' Victoria Kingham was fourth in 21:47.

 

FOOTBALL

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. – Amherst College beat Williams College, 17-7, to finish off a second consecutive perfect season.

 

After a scoreless first quarter, Amherst got the scoring started with 8:46 remaining in the half on a seven-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Reece Foy to senior receiver Jackson McGonagle to give the Lord Jeffs a 7-0 lead.

 

The Lord Jeffs were able to keep the Ephs scoreless going into halftime when senior linebacker Tom Kleyn intercepted a pass from senior quarterback Austin Lommen deep in Amherst territory.

 

Amherst extended its lead to 10-0 with a 23-yard field goal by sophomore kicker Charlie Wall on the Lord Jeffs’ first possession of the second half.

 

The Lord Jeffs scored again on a three-yard touchdown run by running back Kenny Akindra with 1:49 left in the third quarter to bring the score to 17-0.

 

Williams (2-6) got on the board with a 6-yard touchdown run by first year running back Noah Sorrento.