TROY, N.Y. – Senior Brie Ruane scored her fourth goal of the year to lead the first-ranked William Smith College women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) on Saturday at East Campus Stadium. With the win, the Herons improve to 10-0 overall and 3-0 in the Liberty League. The Engineers drop to 8-2 and 1-1 in conference play.

Ruane (Roslyn Harbor, NY/North Shore) tucked home the eventual game-winner in just the 16th minute, off a square ball from classmate Kara Shue (Fairport, NY/Fairport). RPI freshman goalkeeper Joey Lyons (Harwood, MD/Southern), who was beaten for just the second time this year from the run of play, came out to challenge Shue, who slipped a pass across the face of goal for Ruane to tap home.

A minute later, Lyons was forced into action once again, tipping an Evie Manning (Lytham, England/St. Bedes) attempt over the bar.

RPI's first attempt on goal in came in the 25th minute on a header by freshman Emily Kaplan (Smithtown, NY/Hauppauge). The try found the waiting arms of William Smith sophomore keeper Veronica Romines (San Diego, CA/Torrey Pines).

Sophomore Maddie Steinmetz (Malvern, PA/West Chester East) made an important clearance in the final minute of the first half, thwarting a Herons chance. A cross from the wing was sent into the area, and Steinmetz stepped in and alleviated the pressure.

William Smith controlled the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Shue saw her 47th minute shot sail just over the crossbar, before rolling left-footed attempt wide left from just outside the six.

RPI fought back and worked a cross from the right wing by Kaplan, but Romines was able to take charge and handle the delivery before an Engineer could get on the end of it.

Lyons made one of her career-high nine saves in the 78th minute, denying Shue once again. Sophomore Megan Barwick (Seattle, WA/Seattle Academy) played Shue, who volleyed a shot on goal, but Lyons was there for the stop.

Romines was forced to make just one save, as the Herons built a sizeable 20-2 advantage in shots, including 10-1 on goal. William Smith also earned nine corners to Rensselaer's one.

The Engineers take a break from Liberty League play on Wednesday, when they host Rutgers-Camden at East Campus Stadium (4pm). The Herons welcome Geneseo to Boswell Field on Wednesday (7:30pm).