GENEVA, N.Y.—The Susquehanna University field hockey team used a pair of first half goals and solid goaltending to defeat William Smith College 2-1 in the second round of the William Smith Invitational. The loss drops the Herons to 3-3 on the season, while the Crusaders improve to 6-1.

Susquehanna opened the afternoon’s scoring 8:03 into the contest. William Smith junior Jessica Kulesa (Garden City/Garden City, N.Y.) made a diving save on the Crusaders first shot of the game, but senior midfielder Megan Patrono (West Milford Township/Greenwood Lake, N.Y.) was there to collect the rebound and stake Susquehanna to a 1-0 lead. Junior forward Jodi Dottery (Emmaus/Zionsville, Pa.) scored what proved to be the game winner when she converted a penalty stroke 21:23 into the contest.

The Herons played with an increased intensity in the second half, breaking through the Crusaders’ backline with 13 minutes remaining. Senior forward Sheila McKevitt (Clinton/Clinton, N.Y.) drove home the Herons’ only goal on a penalty corner, assisted by senior defender Neely Wakeman (Holderness School/Cohasset, Mass.) and senior midfielder Erin Weir (Blair Academy/Califon, N.J.).

Senior Katie Hess (Connelly School of Holy Child/Darnestown, Md.) earned the win in goal for Susquehanna recording seven saves, while Kulesa finished with three stops.

William Smith returns to action on Sept. 25, when the Herons host Brockport State University at 5 p.m.