CLINTON, N.Y. -- Sophomore Gwen Parker (Woodstock/Brownsville, Vt.) netted a career-high eight goals to lead the fourth-ranked William Smith College lacrosse team to an 18-7 victory over host Hamilton College on Wednesday afternoon. The Herons (3-0) overcame an early deficit and improved to 23-1 in their last 24 regular season tilts.
Parker's eight goals tied a William Smith single-game record, most recently attained by Jennifer Joinnides '97 on both April 12, 1997, and April 2, 1997. Heather Dwinell '90 fired home eight goals in a single game twice in 1987 and once in 1988. Jennifer Munnelly also accomplished the feat in 1993.
Despite falling behind 2-1 in the initial five minutes of action, William Smith proceeded to score eight of the next 10 goals to take a 9-4 halftime lead. Parker had two of the Herons' three goals inside the final minute of the opening half, including one with five seconds remaining on an assist from senior Danae Nason-Junco (BB&N/Boston, Mass.).
William Smith commenced the second stanza with four unanswered scores to increase its lead to 13-4. After two Continental goals, the Herons responded with five of the last six tallies of the day, including Parker's eighth with 52 seconds left.
Senior Leslie Khachadourian (Guilderland/Albany, N.Y.) notched three saves and became just the sixth Heron goalie to record 400 career saves. The NYSWCAA Goalie of the Week also moved into sole possession of fourth place on William Smith's career wins chart with 27.
First-year Amanda Wynn (Loomis Chaffee/Aspen, Colo.) contributed four goals and two assists. Senior Rebecca Armiger (Centennial/Baltimore, Md.), NYSWCAA Co-Player of the Week Nason-Junco, and first-year Megan Shea (Mountain Lakes/Mountain Lakes, N.J.) all added two goals and two assists. First-year Jackie Toner (Geneva/Geneva, N.Y.) added one assist and classmate Brigid Lynch (Manhasset/Manhasset, N.Y.) turned in an impressive defensive performance for the Herons.
For Hamilton, junior co-captain Caitlin Wakefield (Concord, Mass.) delivered three goals, while junior Jessica Asrican (Westfield, Mass.) and first-year Nicole Cheatle (Culpepper, Va.) combined for nine saves.
The Herons host Rensselaer on Sat., April 1, at 1 p.m. Hartwick College invades Geneva, N.Y., on Sun., April 2, at 2 p.m.
Scoring 1 2 Final
#4 William Smith (3-0) 9 9 18
Hamilton (2-2) 4 3 7
Individual Scoring (goals-assists): William Smith - Gwen Parker 8-0, Amanda Wynn 4-2, Danae Nason-Junco 2-2, Rebecca Armiger 2-2, Megan Shea 2-2, Jackie Toner 0-1. Hamilton - Caitlin Wakefield 3-0, Molly Plummer 2-0, Kristen Engster 1-0, Shannon Mercier 1-0.
Saves: William Smith 3 (Leslie Khachadourian). Hamilton 9 (Asrican 6, Cheatle 3).
Shots: William Smith 37, Hamilton 16.
Draw Controls: William Smith 20, Hamilton 7.
Ground Balls: William Smith 16, Hamilton 9.
-- HWS SPORTS --
