Box Score NEW LONDON, Conn.--Graham Koval (Crested Butte, Colo.) scored the equalizer with just six seconds in regulation and Connecticut College won the round of penalty kicks to advance into the NESCAC Semifinal round for the second straight year in a 3-3 tie with Williams in front of 600 fans on Harkness Field at Tempel Green Saturday afternoon.
The Camels out-scored the Ephs 4-2 in the round of penalty kicks to move on into the NESCAC Final Four.
Connecticut College will match up with sixth seeded Bowdoin in a semifinal match up at Middlebury College next Saturday with 1:30 p.m. scheduled kick off in the Green Mountain State.
The Camels move to 10-4-2 with the draw. The Ephs are 7-6-3.
Connecticut College put pressure on Williams early in this contest. In the 20th minute of play, freshman Chris Lockwood (Glastonbury, Conn.) knocked in a rebound on a shot by Matthew Bitchell (Byfield, Mass.) for his fifth goal of the season. In the 25th minute, Lockwood returned the favor when he played the role of facilitator on Bitchell's score, delivering the senior with a nice cross across the six yard line and the Camels enjoyed an early 2-0 advantage.
But Williams answered in the 28th minute when senior Mohammed Rashid (Accra, Ghana) buried a penalty kick to halve the Camels advantage. In the 60th minute, Williams evened the game at two. Mark Sisco-Tolomeo (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) took a feed from Harrison Fyke (Fort Erie, Ont.) and chipped in his team-leading eighth score of the year.
The Ephs took the lead in the 75th minute when Rashid connected with Malcolm Moutenot (Nashville, Tenn.) for a score in a two on one situation for the visitors.
But in the closing moments, senior holding midfielder Colin Patch (Providence, R.I.) was awarded a free kick from just outside of the 18 yard line. Koval was able to collect the loose ball in a scramble and tie the game with just six seconds left.
Rashid and Noah Grumman (Upper Arlington, Ohio) scored goals for Williams in the round of penalty kicks. But Connecticut College junior Austin DaCunha (Brookfield, Conn.) recorded a save on shots by JC Bahr de Stefano (Manhattan, N.Y.) and denied Sisco-Tolomeo with another diving stab.
Connecticut College junior Charlie Overton (Far Hills, N.J.), Daniel Adair (Foxboro, Mass.) and Nate Summers (Westfield, Mass.) scored goals for the hosts. Junior NSCAA All-Region central midfielder Pat Devlin (Washington Crossing, Pa.) closed out the win with the difference making goal.
DaCunha recorded three saves in the contest for the Camels. Junior Christian Alcorn (Richmond, Va.) had four stops for the Ephs.
Post-Game Comments:
#4 Pat Devlin-2013, 2014 NSCAA All-Region & First Team All-NESCAC Central Midfielder
On battling back from the late deficit:
We were down a goal at the end. But we knew it was do or die at that point and we just wanted to push it out for the seniors really. We got the free kick at the end. Patch came through with a nice, fantastic kick. Then, it was just hard work in the box that got the ball in the net. It was great all around from everyone.
On Netting His Walk-Off Penalty Kick:
I can't even describe it. It was so exciting, an unreal feeling. I have to give credit to Austin DaCunha. I could not have done it without him and the other guys on the team. It was just fantastic support.
#8 Colin Patch 2014 All-NESCAC Holding Midfielder
On the team's overall performance:
It was an incredible performance by all 11 people playing the field. It was really something special to see them all go out and do it today. We were in a tough place at the end of the game but I don't think anyone lost confidence about what we could do and we ended up pulling it out.
On his execution of a free kick with 10 seconds left that led to Koval's equalizing goal:
I just did my best to keep it on frame and give our team a second chance and Graham was in the right spot at the right time and he sealed the deal for us.
