Herons Win 12th Straight Title
6 November 2018 Herons Win 12th Straight Title
The William Smith College soccer team captured its 12th consecutive Liberty League Tournament title with a 1-0 win over Rochester Institute of Technology on Boswell Field at David J Uick Stadium this afternoon. With the win, the Herons are now 14-3-0 overall.
William Smith earned the leagues automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The entire NCAA Division III Womens Soccer Championship field will be announced with a selection show on NCAA.com on Monday, Nov. 5, at 1:30 p.m.
The teams were scoreless after the opening 45 minutes with the Herons earning a 6-3 edge in shots. The Herons had the games first major scoring opportunity in the 39th minute when sophomoreMerilyn Hinrichsfired a shot from the right wing that just missed the right goal post. RIT (11-5-3) answered with a scoring chance of its own in the 44th minute. Rachel Straders shot from 30 yards out went wide right. The best scoring opportunities of the first half came in the closing seconds. SophomoreAmanda Adamsand first-yearJanne Kniekehad shots from eight yards out smothered by Alyssa Salls.
William Smith broke through in the 62nd minute whenJulia Keoghcollected her sixth goal of the season. SeniorMegan Barwickwas credited with an assist on the goal. Barwick dribbled the ball down the right wing and crossed the ball into the box. Keogh one-timed the centering pass into the center of the cage over a diving Salls.
Following the game, Barwickwas named the tournaments Most Outstanding Player. She had a pair of goals in the Herons 3-0 win over St. Lawrence in the semifinal to go along with the assist on todays game-winning goal.
After the goal, William Smith continued to apply the pressure in the offensive half but did not find the back of the net again. In the 66th minute, Barwick had a shot blocked by a Tiger defender. Fellow seniorSarah Olick-Sutphencollected the rebound at the top of the box but had her shot stopped by Salls. In the 71st minute, juniorEmilie Sauvayrehad a header attempt from inside the six-yard box miss just over the crossbar.
SeniorVeronica Rominesmade two saves in 90 minutes in goal for William Smith as the Herons collected their 13th shutout of the season. Salls made six stops in goal for RIT.
William Smith finished the game with a 14-6 edge in shots and an 8-0 edge in corner kicks.