Hobart and William Smith Colleges Athletics

One of the greatest goalkeepers in William Smith soccer history, Sue Willard ‘99 guided the Herons to an overall record of 58-13-3 with 37 shutouts. She helped the Herons win two UCAA Championships and earn four NCAA tournament appearances, advancing to the national championship game in 1997.

Willard graduated with the William Smith career records for saves (370), wins (58), save percentage (.894) and shutouts (37) and was second in GAA (0.60). Her saves mark remains the gold standard for Heron keepers. Willard was 15th in NCAA history in minutes played at the time of her graduation.

As a first-year, Willard made an instant impact, starting 19 of the 21 games. She went 16-2-0 with a 0.52 GAA and a .915 save percentage, helping the Herons to the NCAA semifinals. Her 95 saves that season was a William Smith single-season record.

In 1996, Willard started all 18 games. She was 12-5-1 with an .880 save percentage and a 0.72 GAA. William Smith won six straight games to start the season and was selected to the NCAA tournament for the 10th consecutive year. Willard made a season-high 11 saves in a shutout of Cortland. She recorded three consecutive shutouts in the middle of the season, blanking Union, RIT and Hartwick. Willard was named to the 1996 Heron Cup All-Tournament team.

As a junior, Willard guided William Smith to an 18-4-0 record. The Herons won the UCAA Championship and advanced to the national championship game. Willard was 17-4-0 with a 0.57 GAA and an .888 save percentage. Her 15 shutouts that season were a William Smith single-season record. She made a season-high 15 saves against TCNJ in September. Entering the national championship game, Willard was a part of eight consecutive shutouts.

In 1998, Willard played in 18 games, posting a 14-3-1 record with an .882 save percentage and a 0.62 GAA. She made 87 saves, including a season-high 11 against Union. Willard helped the Herons advance to the second round of the NCAA tournament. She made seven saves in the NCAA tournament opener against Rochester. Following the season, Willard was named to the All-Liberty League first team, the All-NYSWCAA All-State first team and the NSCAA All-Region first team. She also took home the Joseph N. Abraham Memorial Prize and the William Smith Soccer Coach’s award.

Willard earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Willliam Smith and earned a master’s degree in history from Washington (Md.) College.

After graduation, Willard shared her love for soccer as a collegiate coach for more than a decade, including five seasons as the head coach at Carnegie Mellon. With the Tartans, she won 55.3% of her games and earned a pair of postseason berths.

Willard returned to HWS in 2010 to work in the admissions office, where she currently serves as senior associate director of admissions.