Williams women run past Union

Woodson's 4 goals spark undefeated Ephs

October 6, 2008

Gabrielle Woodson’s four goal effort propelled Williams (8-0) past a pesky Union squad (7-2) Sunday afternoon, 5-1.

In both their games this weekend, the Ephs relinquished an early goal but came from behind. While Trinity continued to challenge for a full 90 minutes Saturday, the visiting Dutchwomen petered out in the second half, allowing the Ephs to dominate time on the ball and notch three second half goals.

Union’s Allison Cuozzo tallied her team-leading sixth goal of the season in the early going. At the 3:39 mark, Cuozzo created space between herself and the defender, and then booted a hard shot from just outside the goal box. With little time to react, Ephs keeper Lauren Sinnenberg could only watch as the ball whizzed past her into the net.

The answer came in the form of Woodson and junior teammate Brianna Wolfson. Woodson scored the next four goals, while Wolfson assisted on the first three. The duo has created trouble for opposing defenses all season, with Woodson having tallied seven goals and five assists this season, and Wolfson following with four goals and seven assists.

“They [Wolfson and Woodson] are really dynamic,” said Williams head coach Michelyne Pinard. “They have fun creating offensive chances, and they have played together so much that they always seem to know where the other one is. It’s fun to watch.”

The show began at the 8:16 mark, when Wolfson laced a pass between two defenders to Woodson right in front of the goal. Woodson collected the pass, and managed to tap the ball to net before the diving Union goalie could block the ball at her feet. Ten minutes later, the second goal came about in an identical fashion to the first. The Ephs entered the halftime break leading, 2-1.

Union challenged the Ephs in the first half, but Williams’s depth shined through in the latter half of play. While the Dutchwomen failed to replicate their intensity from the first 45 minutes of play, the Ephs kept pushing forward.

“Our depth really helps us,” said Pinard. “We are 23 strong, and it allows us to go for 90 minutes every single game.”

Williams seem to deflate the opposition, when only one minute into the second half Woodson scored once more for a 3-1 margin. Then, her fourth goal came at the 64:40 mark, this time assisted by Bret Eisenhart. Eisenhart placed a perfect pass to Woodson on the wing, and Woodson laced the ball to the far right post for the 4-1 lead.

Kara Duggan joined Woodson’s efforts, scoring her first collegiate goal. Duggan, a sophomore defender, rarely gets looks on goal but was near the net following a foul against Union. Sara Wild took the free kick from the middle of Union’s half of the field, and amidst the scramble at net, Duggan put the ball in.

Lauren Garcia nearly scored a sixth goal for Williams, as she unloaded a shot from six yards out that was impossible to reach. As the ball sailed under the crossbar and into the net, the referee blew his whistle for obstruction and disallowed the goal.

Williams, ranked No. 1 in the latest national polls, will have a five-day break before beginning Little Three competition on Saturday. The Ephs will host Wesleyan at noon on Cole Field.

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