GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College field hockey team clinched a spot in the inaugural Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association Championship Tournament with a 4-1 victory over Hamilton College at AstroTurf Stadium. Senior forward Sheila McKevitt (Clinton/Clinton, N.Y.) led the charge with two goals and an assist.

A blustery afternoon to begin with, the 13th-ranked Herons (11-5, 4-2 UCAA) gave the Continentals (4-9, 2-4 UCAA) a cold reception, outshooting their league rivals 15-0 in the first frame. McKevitt opened the scoring in the 27th minute, driving home a setup by senior back Neely Wakeman (Holderness School/Cohasset, Mass.) on a penalty corner. Less than five minutes later, sophomore forward Lily Gillett (Wheeler School/Seekonk, Mass.) gave the Herons all the offense they would need, netting her fourth goal of the season on a scramble in front of the Hamilton cage.

Wakeman gave William Smith a three-goal advantage heading into halftime, finishing a penalty corner feed from McKevitt with no time remaining.

With 10 minutes run off the second half clock, McKevitt registered her 12th goal of the season, assisted by Wakeman and senior midfielder Erin Weir (Blair Academy/Califon, N.J.). McKevitt is currently tied for sixth in career goals (41), tied for 11th in career assists (16), and ninth in career points (98). Only eight Herons have ever recorded 100 career points.

Hamilton scored its lone goal with 4:36 remaining, as first-year forward Karen Sullman (Bryn Mawr School/Baltimore, Md.) tapped home a cross-goal pass from junior forward Eden Self (Groton School/Rochester, N.Y.).

In goal, junior Jessica Kulesa (Garden City/Garden City, N.Y.) earned the win without seeing a shot in the first half, while first-year Susan Jordan (Boothbay/Boothbay, Maine) made two stops in 35 minutes of relief work. First-year Meghan Blair (Champlain Valley Union/Williston, Vt.) made 13 saves for Hamilton.

William Smith returns to action at 2 p.m., on Oct. 26, when they host St. Lawrence. The Saints (10-3, 5-1 UCAA) defeated the University of Rochester this afternoon, 3-1.