Box Score
Box Score

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith field hockey team scored an early goal and made it stand up for a 1-0 Liberty League victory over Rensselaer. With the win, the Herons stop a four-match slide and improve to 7-4, 1-3 in the conference, while the Engineers fall to 2-9, 1-3.

William Smith got on the board in the 19th minute when senior Kaitlyn Hamilton (Harpursville/Harpursville, N.Y.) drove home a pass from classmate Janelle Walkley (Tioga/Tioga Center, N.Y.) on a penalty corner. The goal was Hamilton's team-leading ninth of the season.

Four minutes later, the Engineers had a quality scoring chance, gaining the circle to the left side of the cage. RPI sent a cross to the right side that forced first-year goalie Taryn Little (Granville/Wells, Vt.) to scramble across the goal mouth. The pass found its way to senior Margaret Chowaniec (Lewis Mills/Burlington, Conn.), whose running shot crossed the end line wide of the right post. Little was injured on the play and yielded to junior goalie Chelsea Snyder (1 save) (Cortland/Cortland, N.Y.).

William Smith held a 9-1 advantage on shots, but solid play by the Engineers' defense kept the visitors within striking distance.

In the 38th minute, Hamilton nearly gave the Herons a 2-0 lead, but sophomore goalie Sarah Burcher (5 saves) (Walker Governor's School/Lanexa, Va.) made a spectacular diving stick-save to keep it a one-goal contest.

Rensselaer had its best scoring chance of the day thwarted by first-year Alyssa David (Greene/Greene, N.Y.). The Engineers caught the Herons out of position, working the ball to first-year Carlie Newcomb (Southwick-Tolland/Southwick, Mass.) in the middle of the circle with Snyder standing near her right post. However, David's defensive save preserved the shutout.

William Smith finished with a 16-4 advantage in shots and a 10-5 edge in penalty corners.

The Herons are back in action at 2 p.m. on Oct. 10, when they host Vassar. The Engineers will continue their road trip at the same time at Rochester.