WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Wheaton College (Mass.) men's soccer team was edged by host No. 2 Williams College, 1-0, this afternoon at Cole Field in Williamstown, Mass. 

The Lyons dip to 0-1-2, while the Ephs, who are ranked in the most recent United Soccer Coaches Poll, improve to 1-0 in their season opener.

Williams dominated possession with a commanding 19-7 shot advantage, including 12-1 in the opening half of play. The Ephs held a 4-3 margin in corner kicks as well.

Despite the shot disparity, the Wheaton defense held strong in a physical battle for the first 69 minutes of action, before host Williams finally found the back of the net with 20:43 remaining in the second half.

First year midfielder Andrew Coelho (Gloucester, Mass.) and first year defender Griffin Labonski (Westport, Conn.) combined on a feed to first year forward Jeff Stauffer (Gloucester, Mass.) for his first collegiate goal. The eventual game-winning strike came in the 70th minute of action for the Ephs to provide the only scoring of the match. 

Stauffer beat the offside trap with his run, and was found in stride by Labonski. With only the goalie to beat, Stauffer found the bottom corner of the net for the lone score of the night for Williams.

Senior forward Luke Strange (Portland, Ore.) paced the Lyons' offense with three shots. Sophomore goalie Michael O'Gara (Ardmore, Pa.) was brilliant in net for the visitors with 10 saves.

Senior keeper Ben Diffley (Summerville, S.C.)) stopped both shots he faced to register his 17th career shutout for the Ephs.

Wheaton returns to play on Saturday, September 9 when it hosts Eastern Connecticut State University at 2:00 p.m. on Keefe Field, while Williams hosts Western New England University on the same day at 11:30 a.m.