Three games in four days may seem overwhelming for a team that has had to battle through several close games so far this season, but the Colby field hockey team embraced the challenge. The team spent the weekend on a bus, traveling first to Williamstown, Mass. to play New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) opponent Williams on Saturday and then to Henniker, NH to face New England College on Sunday.
The Mules refused to give the Ephs their first conference win without a fight. A physical game on both ends, Colby was able to make some positional adjustments to exploit their strengths and to try to capitalize on their opponent's weaknesses.
Williams tallied the first goal of the day in the beginning of the first half. Kelly Roth '12 returned the favor with 28 seconds remaining in the half on a power shot that deflected off the stick of a Williams player and sailed into the goal.
The second half began with a temporary lapse in the Colby defense, which resulted in two Williams goals in less than a minute.
However, with only 18 minutes to play in regulation, Colby rallied against a solid Williams defense to force the game into overtime. Forward Heather Quadir '11 recorded her third goal of the season to make it 3-2 with 9:58 to play. 2:07 later, Olivia Lattanzi '11 assisted on a goal from Courtney Erskine '13 to end regulation with a score of 3-3.
The seven Colby players on the field for the overtime period had already played a full 70 minutes and were unable to counter the Williams attack. The game ended after 76:18 minutes of play with an unassisted Ephs goal that made the final score 4-3.
Eager to avenge Saturday's loss, the Mules traveled to NEC focused and prepared to win. A quick NEC goal put the Mules down 1-0 early. The Colby offense responded once again with a goal from Hannah O'Brien '12 off an assist from Lattanzi. The Mules went up 2-1 before halftime when Hali Castleman '11 passed to Meryl Poulin '11 who scored on a shot taken from the middle of the circle. Poulin tallied again for her second goal of the game with an assist from O'Brien, to advance the Colby lead to 3-1. Caitlyn Lancaster '12 scored a satisfying fourth goal for the Mules on an assist from Poulin in a corner play that the team has been mastering in practice for days.
The Mules look to continue to score in bunches like they did during the long weekend on the road. The team scored seven goals in just two games. They will bring this tenacity in the offensive circle to their game against Thomas on Tuesday night.