SALISBURY, Md.--Sophomore Erin Weir scored the game's only goal on a deflection with 10:34 remaining in the second half to lift William Smith to a 1-0 victory over Springfield in the NCAA Division III National Championship Game.

Weir's goal, her seventh of the year, redirected the shot of junior Nicky Livingston high into the cage past Springfield goalie Liz Sena. With the assist, Livingston broke the William Smith single season record with her 15th helper of the campaign. She eclipsed the previous mark (14) set by Tina Warner in 1994.

William Smith, which finished the year 20-1 overall with a 20-match winning streak, claimed its third national championship. The Herons were also NCAA champs in 1992 and 1997. Springfield finishes 20-6 for the year and earned its first NCAA runner-up trophy.

The evenly played game remained scoreless throughout the first half and through the first 24 minutes of the second, despite a number of close scoring chances by both teams. William Smith outshot Springfield 5-2 in the first half and finished the game with a slight 11-9 advantage in total shots. The Herons also had a 5-3 edge in penalty corners in the first half, but both teams finished with 14 corners for the game.

William Smith's Marjie MacVean finished with five saves, all in the second half, while Springfield's Sena had two saves in the game.

Joining Livingston on the All-Tournament team from William Smith were seniors Jess Dascano and Lauren VonBereghy. Springfield representatives on the squad were Sena, junior Caroline Black, senior Liz Kyle, and senior Abby Perham. Rounding out the 11-person team were seniors Kelly Engelbart and Moriah Holmstrom from third-place finisher Rowan, and juniors Kristen Seaton and Tara Webster from third-place Salisbury State.

--HWS SPORTS--