On Saturday, No. 4 field hockey (5-0, 2-0 NESCAC) continued its undefeated season with a 2-0 win over No. 10 Amherst (3- 1, 1-1 NESCAC). The Ephs emerged victorious on their home turf after forward Claire Colvin ’27 scored two goals in the second half and goalkeeper Ellie Smith ’28 blocked multiple fierce attacks from the Mammoths.
Field hockey has yet to concede a goal in five games, including face-offs against No. 7 Tufts (3-1, 2-1 NESCAC) and No. 5 Babson (4-2). One week ago, the Ephs bested the Tufts Jumbos for the first time in their last 19 encounters. Triumphing over its toughest competition has boosted the team’s morale and made it more determined to continue its winning streak in upcoming matches, Smith told the Record.
“Everyone’s energy has been coming together really nicely,” Smith said. “I think that transferred to our performance on the field because we have so much fun when we’re playing well together — especially when we’re winning.” Colvin also credited the recent wins to the team’s chemistry.
In their most recent match, the Ephs played the Mammoths in a close battle, with no goals in the first two periods despite multiple score attempts from both sides. Overall, Amherst outshot Williams 17-12 and was dangerous on the offensive, as they took six penalty corners in a row.
Despite high pressure, the Ephs’ defense held fast, with Smith making six crucial saves in the third period. “She was just a brick wall holding down the fort,” Colvin said. “There were a lot of close calls that, on a typical goalie, would have gone in, but Ellie kept them out.”
Other key defensive players included Keira Harder ’27, Pilar Torres ’26, and Linda Bibeau ’25, according to Colvin and Smith.
Stakes were high in the second half as both teams fought to secure an advantage. The Ephs succeeded when Colvin scored in the third period, assisted by Kiki Higgins ’26, and then again in the fourth period, assisted by Madeline Rowland ’27. “Claire brings that spark and hunger to win every single game,” Smith said. “She’s a big motivation for our team and she always keeps the energy up.”
Reflecting on the home game against Amherst, Colvin recalled “a huge amount of team spirit and high energy in the locker rooms.” “We understood the weight of the tradition, of our rivalry,” she said. “Our sideline was going crazy,” Smith added. “We do this thing where we pick a Williams-specific theme to chant every game, to show them what they’re missing by not going here. This time it was Lickety [Split] ice cream flavors.”
Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Colvin said the Ephs will aim to come out stronger and score earlier in games. Such improvements might be the key to winning against duanting opponents, including No. 1 Middlebury (4- 0, 2-0 NESCAC), who has controlled the league in the recent past.
“Before that, our next big goal is crushing Trinity,” Colvin said.
The Ephs will play Trinity (2-1, 0-2 NESCAC) in Hartford, Conn., next Saturday.
