GENEVA, N.Y. --The fourth-ranked William Smith College lacrosse team (6-1) jumped out to an early lead to defeat Denison University (2-3), 15-7 in the opening game of the Heron Draw. In the day's second game, Millersville University's (5-2) defense shutdown Colorado College (4-4) for an 11-6 victory.
William Smith sophomore attacker Megan Shea (Mountain Lakes/Mountain Lakes, N.J.) got the Herons on the board just 49 seconds into the contest. After Denison's Laura Peace (St. Paul's School for Girls/Lutherville, Md.) tied the game at the 22:23 mark, William Smith put the game away, scoring eight goals in 11 minutes, to take a 9-1 lead. During the 8-0 run, first-year attacker Gretchen Lasda (West Genesee/Camillus, N.Y.) scored two goals, while Shea and senior attacker Meghan Genovese (Geneva/Geneva, N.Y.) each added a goal and an assist. The two teams traded the next four goals and the Herons led 11-3 at halftime.
In the second half, the Big Red matched William Smith's four goals, but it wasn't enough as Denison dropped the 15-7 decision. Shea led all scorers with three goals and two assists. Genovese and Lasda each contributed two goals and an assist for the Herons. Peace topped Big Red scorers with two goals. First-year Rebecca Splain (Middlebury Union/Middlebury, Vt.) and sophomore Amy Bowen (Concord Carlisle/Carlisle, Mass.) split time in goal for William Smith, making five and two saves respectively. Abbe Stewart (Worthington Kilbourne/Columbus, Ohio) was strong in goal for the Denison, making 19 saves. The Herons outshot the Big Red 45-19.
In the second game, Kristin Burnheter (Ridley/Folsom, Pa.) opened the scoring at the 19:23 mark, giving Millersville the lead for good. While the Marauders' offense steadily took control of the game, building a 5-0 advantage, their defense limited Colorado shots and forced numerous Tiger turnovers. With 1:28 remaining in the half, Erin Simons (Wilmette, Ill.) finally got Colorado on the board. Just over a minute later, Niki Thomas (Warner, N.H.) added another goal and cut Millersville's lead to 5-2.
In the second half, the Marauders extended their lead to 11-3, with two apiece from Burnheter, Tiffany Frankenfield (Souderton/Harleysville, Pa.) and Megan Miller (Great Valley/Malvern, Pa.). The Tigers scored three goals in the final 1:03, but Millersville cruised to the 11-6 victory.
Frankenfield led the Marauders with two goals and two assists. Burnheter finished with three goals, while Miller and Margaret Kelly (Boyertown/Barto, Pa.) each had two goals for Millersville. Thomas led Colorado with a three-goal effort and Becca Cashman added a goal and an assist. Kelly McMahon (Upper Moreland/Hatboro, Pa.) and Liz Rishel (Owen J. Roberts/Pottstown, Pa.) combined for three saves in goal for the Marauders. Cindy Yi (Colorado Springs, Colo.) made six saves in goal for the Tigers. Millersville forced 36 Colorado turnovers.
William Smith will host Colorado April 8, at 11 a.m., and Denison will face Millersville in the 1:30 p.m. contest.
--HWS SPORTS--
