This past Saturday, the Hamilton women’s soccer team traveled to Hartford, Connecticut to face Trinity College in their final game of the regular season. Before the start of the match, the Trinity Bantams were winless against other NESCAC teams and were looking for their first in-conference win. Out of the Bantams’ two last games of the season, beating Hamilton was more feasible than winning against the #11 Amherst Mammoths who had only conceded one loss in the NESCAC. In order to have a shot at playoff contention the Bantams would have to win their last two NESCAC matchups, meaning the Bantams had to win against Hamilton to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Despite being the favorites in this matchup, the Continentals have an unfortunate history of handing other NESCAC teams their first win of the season. However, with this game being their regular season finale and their last chance to better their playoff seed, they hoped to record one final win.
In the first half, Hamilton struggled to find opportunities on goal and tallied zero shots. Meanwhile, Trinity came out strong with several corner kicks and multiple scoring opportunities. Goalkeeper and Captain Nieve Tonna ’26 proved solid in net with three saves in the first half.
Right from the start of the second half, Trinity continued to push upfield and challenge Tonna with another shot less than a minute into the half. However, a series of fouls shortly thereafter opened the door for the Continentals to capitalize on Trinity’s mistakes. Erin Rayhill ’25 was able to get off the team’s first shot of the game, but it missed.
The two teams moved the ball up and down the field, and shots and corner kicks were taken by both teams. However, both teams struggled to test the opposing goalie with shots on goal. With roughly 20 minutes remaining in the half, Trinity took control of the game with a series of three corner kicks and three shots, one of which was shut down by Tonna.
With nearly two minutes left in the game and with a 0–0 tie looking more and more likely, Trinity took a shot on goal that was saved by Tonna. The rebound fell back into the Bantams’possession, which Trinity player Elena Lindonen ’26 tipped in for a 1–0 lead. With only 1:49 remaining in the game, there was little chance for the Continentals to even the score. However, they managed to move the ball downfield into Trinity’s defensive end and draw a corner kick with one minute remaining. Despite one last opportunity for the Continentals, the Bantams’ defensive unit shut down Hamilton’s last chance at evening the score.
Looking ahead, Hamilton sits at 7th in the NESCAC with their record being 2–5–3 within the conference and 6–6–3 overall. The Continentals have no chance of rising in the rankings, yet they could drop to 8th in the conference depending on the outcomes of the final NESCAC games on Tuesday, Oct. 29, and Wednesday, Oct. 30. To remain at 7th, the Connecticut College Camels must lose to top-ranked Wesleyan who have yet to lose a game in the NESCAC. On the off chance that Connecticut College and Trinity both acquire a win this coming week, Hamilton would be eliminated from playoff contention.
Although the top teams in the NESCAC would all be formidable opponents in the first round of the playoffs, the Continentals have proved themselves able to match the high-level play of some of the best teams.
This season, Hamilton tied Tufts, who at the time were ranked 21st and Williams, who also ranked 21st at the time. The Continentals also tied Amherst 2–2, who were ranked second nationally at the time.
Wherever the women’s soccer team lands in the rankings, the Hamilton community will be cheering them on as they travel on the road for the first round of the NESCAC playoffs.
