GENEVA, N.Y. --The William Smith College lacrosse team closed out the regular season in style with an impressive 15-3 win over UCAA rival Vassar College. On Senior Day it was first-year attacker Nikki Traino (West Genesee/Camillus, N.Y.) who stole the show scoring a career-high six goals to lead the Herons.

Brewer midfielder Gwen Schantz (Wilbraham and Monson/Monson, Mass.) opened the scoring at the 18:45 mark of the first half, to give Vassar its only lead of the day. Senior midfielder Maura Reilly (Miss Porter's School/Newington, Conn.) tied the score 43 seconds later, starting an 11-0 William Smith run. First-year attacker Gretchen Lasda (West Genesee/Camillus, N.Y.) gave the Herons the lead for good at the 17:11 mark. Five minutes later Traino scored her first of the day to put William Smith up 3-1 and sophomore midfielder Jackie Toner (Geneva/Geneva) buried a Lasda pass for the eventual gamewinner with 10:02 to go in the half. The Herons scored four more times for an 8-1halftime lead.

William Smith kept up the offense in the second 30 minutes, outscoring the Brewers 7-2 for the 15-3 final. Traino's six goals led the Herons. Sophomore attacker Megan Shea (Mountain Lakes/Mountain Lakes, N.J.) had three goals and one assist, while Lasda finished with two goals and an assist. Rashida Truesdale (Pallotti/Forestville, Md.) led Vassar with a goal and an assist.

In goal, first-year Rebecca Splain (Middlebury Union/Middlebury, Vt.) got the win making 11 saves in 49 minutes, while junior Amy Bowen (Concord-Carlisle/Carlisle, Mass.) stopped two shots in the final 11 minutes for William Smith (13-2, 7-1 UCAA). Sarah Lackay (Monsignor Donovan/Brick, N.J) made 17 saves for the Brewers (4-11, 1-7 UCAA).

The Herons will now await the NCAA Selection Committee's decision on May 6, to find out if they will they will make their 11th consecutive to the NCAA tournament.

--HWS SPORTS--