MIDDLETOWN, Conn. - Fourth-ranked Wesleyan University (9-1, 3-1 NESCAC) held Williams College (4-2, 3-1 NESCAC) to one first-half goal and built up a 9-3 lead early in the fourth quarter before coasting in for an 11-7 victory in a Little Three matchup. Wesleyan has won four outright Little Three titles in the last seven seasons and shared the crown in a three-way tie the other three. Last year, Wiliams beat Wesleyan, Wesleyan defeated Amherst, and Amherst knocked off Williams. Wesleyan and Amherst face each other in Amherst Wed., April 11.

The score stood 2-1 in favor of the home team after one period before Wesleyan asserted itself by scoring seven on the next nine goals for a 9-3 bulge with 14:30 to play. Wesleyan capitalized on all three Williams penalties for goals to that point while killing three penalties of its own. Two of Williams' four goals in the final stanza were man-advantage.

Sophomore Russ Follansbee was the pivot man for the Cardinals, scoring twice on runs from behind the net and passing for two more goals as Wesleyan pulled away to the six-goal advantage. He added another assist in the closing stages for a five-point game. Freshman Jon Killeen picked up a hat trick with two of his goals aided by Follansbee. Sophomore Jason Ben-Eliyahu and junior Grayson Connors both scored twice for Wesleyan. Williams got two goals each from senior Chris Merwin, junior Michael Vrla and sophomore Tim White while junior Dixon Hargrove had all four Williams assists in the contest.

Sophomore Mike Gerbush stopped 12 shots for Williams. Senior Charlie Congleton had 11 saves for Wesleyan.

Score by Period       1  2  3  4  Tot
-------------------------------------
Williams College....  1  0  2  4 -  7
Wesleyan University.  2  2  4  3 - 11
 
Williams College SCORING:
GOALS: Michael Vrla 2; Chris Merwin 2; Tim White 2; Kevin Connolly 1.
ASSISTS: Dixon Hargrove 4.
 
Wesleyan University SCORING:
GOALS: Jon Killeen 3; Russ Follansbee 2; Jason Ben-Eliyahu 2; Grayson
       Connors 2; Mike Hines 1; Alex Kaufman 1.
ASSISTS: Russ Follansbee 3; Mike Hines 1; Chris Jasinski 1; Jon Killeen 1.
 
SHOTS BY PERIOD       1  2  3  4  Tot
-------------------------------------
Williams College....  6  4  8  8 - 26
Wesleyan University.  8  9  8 10 - 35
 
GROUND BALLS BY PRD   1  2  3  4  Tot
-------------------------------------
Williams College....  8  5 10 10 - 33
Wesleyan University. 10  5 13 13 - 41
 
FACE-OFFS BY PRD       1     2     3     4     Total
----------------------------------------------------
Williams College....  2-4   1-3   4-7   3-8  - 10-22
Wesleyan University.  2-4   2-3   3-7   5-8  - 12-22
 
CLEARS BY PERIOD       1     2     3     4     Total
----------------------------------------------------
Williams College....  4-4   5-7   4-6   3-6  - 16-23
Wesleyan University.  5-7   6-6   4-5   4-5  - 19-23
 
EXTRA-MAN OPPS         1     2     3     4     Total
----------------------------------------------------
Williams College....  0-1   0-2   0-0   2-2  -  2-5
Wesleyan University.  0-0   1-1   1-1   1-2  -  3-4
 
GOALTENDER SUMMARY
Wesleyan University       Minutes   GA   W/L Saves
--------------------------------------------------
33 Charlie Congleton...     60:00    7    W     11
 
GOALTENDER SUMMARY
Williams College          Minutes   GA   W/L Saves
--------------------------------------------------
30 Michael Gerbush.....     60:00   11    L     12

2007-04-07