WILLIAMSTOWN, MA. – Recording his fifth shutout of the season and the Wesleyan men's soccer team's second in a row, Mathis Blanc '26 shouldered a 1-0 NESCAC victory over Williams with offensive help coming from Zack Burd '25. With the win, Wesleyan earns a split of the Little Three Championship, sharing the title with Amherst. 

Blanc, splitting four saves equally through both halves, faced only four shots on goal despite the Ephs (6-3-2, 2-3-2 NESCAC) outshooting the Cardinals (5-3-4, 2-2-4 NESCAC) 12-8 for the game. He received a little reprieve in the first half when Burd netted the game-winner at 24:14.

Awarded a free-kick out on the right side in line with the top of the box, Burd stepped up to the ball and careened his shot up and over the mob in front of the goal and behind Ben Diffley, sending the Cardinals into the half with the 1-0 lead.

Both defenses held for the final 45 minutes, the Cardinals allowing an additional five shots as they were able to get out three on the Ephs. Lucas Ruehlemann '25 managed a low shot on goal late in the second.

Michael Davis had the only save of the game for the Ephs after replacing Diffley in the second half as the tandem faced only two shots on goal.

With the win, the Cardinals earned a split of the Little Three title with Amherst, as both teams beat Williams. That, coupled with the 1-1 draw last weekend between the Cardinals and Mammoths, earned Wesleyan at least a split of the Little Three for the first time since the Cardinals won the title outright in 2011. 

The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday, Oct. 17, when they host Eastern Connecticut State in a non-conference matchup beginning at 3:30 p.m. at Jackson Field.