SALEM, Va. - The Williams College Ephs fell to the University of Chicago Maroons, 2-0, in the NCAA Division III Men's Soccer National Championship game. The Ephs, who were making their third appearance in the championship game in program history (1993, 1995), finish the year with a 10-2-11 record. The Maroons complete an unbeaten season with a 22-0-1 mark.
After a scoreless first half, UChicago forced Felipe Guiterrez to make a last second, sliding clearance in the Ephs end in the 47th minute.
In the 66th minute the Maroons broke through, as Robbie Pino's shot from 25 yards out found its way past Williams goalkeeper Ben Diffley
's fingertips and into the back of the net.
In the 84th minute Chicago tried to double its lead with Tanner Baldwin firing from the top of the penalty box, but Diffley's diving effort pushed the ball over the crossbar.
In the final minute, Williams won a free kick with 34 seconds remaining. The Ephs served the free kick into the box with every Eph in the box, including Diffley. The Maroons won the header and were able to clear the ball out of the defensive end. Ryan Yetishefsky scored on an empty net to seal the 2-0 victory.
The Maroons held a 16-7 advantage in shots. Will Boyes was credited with one save for UChicago while Diffley made six saves in the Williams net.
UChicago head coach Julianne Sitch becomes the first woman to lead a men's team to a national championship in any division of NCAA competition, and secures the University of Chicago's first-ever national championship in her first year in charge.