Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Senior Jessica Tanner (Schenectady, NY/Guilderland) recorded a game-high four goals to lead William Smith College to a 15-7 Liberty League victory over the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) women’s lacrosse team this afternoon at Harkness Field. With the victory, the Herons improve to 8-5 on the season with a 6-1 league mark. The Red Hawks are now 4-9 overall and are now 2-5 in the Liberty League.

William Smith came out firing in the first half, building a 5-0 lead through the 17:47 mark. Rensselaer didn’t back down, fighting through the Heron defense for two goals just 20 seconds apart from senior Rebecca Primm (Islip Terrace, NY/East Islip) and freshman Kerri Clark (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs). Led by three first half goals from Tanner, the Herons took an 8-5 lead into the halftime.

In the second half, William Smith posted six consecutive goals to build an 11-5 lead at the 12:29 mark. Despite goals from Clark and sophomore Natalie White (Guilford, CT/Guilford) and a 30-26 shot advantage, the Red Hawks were unable to overcome the deficit.

In addition to Tanner, the Herons got three goals each from juniors Jessica Scott (Portland, ME/Waynflete School) and Sarah Dillon (Oldwick, NJ/Blair Academy). Sophomore Rachel Stahl (Baldwinsville, NY/Charles W. Baker) posted two goals and two assists, while classmate Jesse McKenna (Wenham, MA/Middlesex School) chipped in a goal and three assists. Sophomore Morgan Baird (Gloucester, MA/Pingree School) picked up the victory in goal for the Herons, making 14 saves.

For Rensselaer, Clark tallied a team-high three goals, while White, Primm, Kate Phillips (Wilton, NY/Saratoga Springs) and Michelle Michalenko (Dewitt, NY/Jamesville-Dewitt) all tallied a goal apiece. Senior Jen Wahl (Centerreach, NY/Centerreach) chipped in an assist and freshman Gianna Casale (Waterford, NY/Academy of Holy Names) stopped three shots in the loss for the Red Hawks and is now 4-9 on the season.

Rensselaer is back in action tomorrow when it hosts Liberty League rival Rochester at Harkness Field, in the final game of the season (2pm). William Smith concludes its regular season at tomorrow at Vassar (2pm).