GENEVA, N.Y. --The William Smith College lacrosse team improved to 3-0 on the season with a convincing 16-9 over Nazareth College. A dominant first half carried the Herons to victory over the Golden Flyers.

William Smith got off to a quick start in the first half, scoring the first four goals. Senior attacker Meghan Genovese (Geneva/Geneva, N.Y.) opened the scoring just four minutes into the game, followed by senior midfielder Maura Reilly (Miss Porter's School/Newington, Conn.) three minutes later. Sophomore midfielder Jackie Toner (Geneva/Geneva, N.Y.) made it a 3-0 game at the 22:39 mark and sophomore attacker Megan Shea (Mountain Lakes/Mountain Lakes, N.J.) added another just 55 seconds later. After a Nazareth timeout, the Flyers responded with two goals in 10 seconds from Allison Roberts and Sue Hollister to cut the lead to 4-2. The two teams traded the next four goals for a 6-4 Heron lead. William Smith then closed the half on a 4-0 run for a 10-4 halftime lead.

In the second half, Nazareth's Lorra Podsiadlo cut into the William Smith lead with a goal at 23:54. The Herons again responded with the next four goals for a commanding 14-5 lead. The Golden Flyers outscored William Smith 4-2 for the remainder of the game, but it wasn't enough as the Herons cruised to the 16-9 victory.

Genovese and Shea led William Smith with three goals and one assist each and Reilly finished with a goal and three assists. Hollister led Nazareth with an identical total, while Podsiadlo added two goals and assisted on another. First-year goaltender Rebecca Splain (Middlebury Union/Middlebury, Vt.) notched her third win in goal, making five saves. Teryn Wineburg made 12 saves for the Golden Flyers (2-1). The Herons out shot Nazareth 33-14.

William Smith returns to action March 30, when they host St. Lawrence University at 4 p.m., in their first UCAA contest.

--HWS SPORTS--