Heron Pride
14 May 2018 Heron Pride
On Sunday, the William Smith lacrosse team concluded another successful season, advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Herons finished the year with a 15-5 overall record and earned their third straight trip to the national tournament.
While the No. 16 Herons fell to the No. 1 The College of New Jersey in Ewing, N.J., on Sunday, with a final score of 8-2, the team wrapped up an incredible season.
On Sunday, Melissa Moore18, who now stands 10th in Heron history in career points (188), led William Smith with a goal and an assist. She shared a game-high with four draws, picked up three ground balls and caused four turnovers.
During the final game with 23:31 left in the first, Moore backed down her defenders and scored an unassisted goal to tie the game up at 1-1. It was her 50th goal this season. Moore finished her Heron career third on the William Smith lists for career draws (122) and career caused turnovers (96).
Rachel Yackel21 added a goal for the Herons, and Jules Kennedy 21made 11 saves. Yackel scored 1:30 into the second half to get William Smith within two. Moore dished to Yackel who rolled around her defender and scored her 20th goal of the season. However, the Lions closed out the game with four unanswered goals.
The Herons finished their season ranked seventh in the nation in scoring defense. William Smith had two All-Liberty League first team selections Moore and Mekayla Montgomery 20. Kennedy earned second team honors.
Over their four-year career, the Class of 2018 led William Smith to three straight Liberty League regular season and tournament titles, three straight trips to the NCAA tournament and a 54-26 four-year overall record and a 31-6 four-year Liberty League record.
A special HWS commencement ceremony was held on Monday to present seniors Sarah Benyo 18, Kelsi Carr 18, Bailey Ebby 18, Moore and Catherine Wolf 18 and assistant coach Allison Flaherty 17, MAT18 with their diplomas and welcome them to the alumnae association. The ceremony in St. Johns Chapel and coincided with the 193rd Commencement of Hobart College and the 107th Commencement of William Smith College that occurred on Sunday during the tournament game.