Box Score

TROY, N.Y. – Backed by a hat trick from freshman Brelynn Nasypany (Herkimer, NY/Herkimer), #6 William Smith defeated Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), 3-1, in a Liberty League contest at Harkness Field this afternoon. The Herons improve to 9-0-1 overall and 3-0-1 in conference play while the Red Hawks drop to 6-4-1 and 1-2-0 in the Liberty League.

The Red Hawks struck first, in the 8th minute, when senior striker Sarah Hinz (Swanzey, NH/Monandnock) poked a shot off the finger tips of William Smith goalkeeper Alice Binns (Boston, MA/Beaver Country Day), and into the net, giving RPI the 1-0 lead. Hinz, who stole the ball from a Heron defender about 25 yards from goal, dribbled in and a right footed shot just inside the far post.

William Smith was quick to answer, just over a minute later, as Nasypany took a short pass across the box from Julia Bernay (Newport Beach, CA/Newport Harbor) and blasted it past RPI goalie Meghan White (Kingston, NY/Kingston) to tie the game at a goal apiece.

Nasypany scored again in the 32nd minute to give the Herons a 2-1 lead. This time taking a headed cross from teammate Courtney Peters (Williamson, NY/Williamson) just outside the six yard area to bury it into the open net. White, who was charging Peters had no time to recover to the far post were Nasypany was waiting.

The hat trick was completed by Nasypany in the 78th minute when she used a wonderful bit of footwork to dribble three Rensselaer defenders and beat a diving White for her third goal of game, and eighth of the season.

Binns made one save in the victory, while White posted five stops in the RPI net.

Rensselaer is back in action on tomorrow when it hosts Hamilton (1pm). William Smith is also in action tomorrow afternoon at Vassar (2pm).