Box Score GENEVA, N.Y.—For the second time this season, the fifth-ranked William Smith soccer team played a double overtime scoreless draw against Skidmore. With the Liberty League Championship on the line, the Herons converted all five of their penalty kicks, while first-year goalie
Amanda Davis (Roxbury/Sucasunna, N.J.) saved the Thoroughbreds' second PK to secure the conference championship and its accompanying automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
In a match that featured the League's two stingiest defenses, scoring opportunities were at a premium. Neither team put a shot on goal in the half and managed just two each in the second frame. Skidmore had the best chance in regulation, when first-year Katie Rasche's (York/York, Maine) shot in the 57th minute was blocked by a Heron defender standing near the goal line. The rebound found first-year Elena Stansky's (Worcester Academy/Worcester, Mass.) foot, but her put back was corralled by Davis.
In overtime, Davis and her counterpart, first-year Meghan Sleezer (Gloversville/Gloversville, N.Y.), were not seriously challenged. Davis made one stop in the second extra session, while Sleezer recorded one save in each OT to finish with four.
In the shootout, senior
Rayza Santiago (Webster Schroeder/Webster, N.Y.), first-year
Alyse DiCenzo (Pittsford Mendon/Pittsford, N.Y.), senior
Julia Bernay (Newport Harbor/Newport Beach, Calif.), junior
Katelyn Tyson (Leland/San Jose, Calif.), and sophomore
Claire Hotaling (Columbia/East Greenbush, N.Y.) made their PKs in succession.
William Smith secured its second consecutive and sixth overall Liberty League Championship. The Herons will make their 22nd consecutive postseason appearance, including 19 trips to the NCAA Tournament.
William Smith senior back
Ali Art (Herricks/Manhasset Hills, N.Y.) was named the tournament MVP after leading a defense that did not allow a goal in 200 minutes of play this weekend. She was joined on the All-Tournament team by Davis, DiCenzo, Santiago, and Tyson. Skidmore also placed five players on the squad: sophomore Erin Donnellan (Walpole/Walpole, Mass.), Rasche, Sleezer, senior Rachael Sushner (Winston Churchill/Potomac, Md.), and Stansky. St. Lawrence junior Megan Howard (Champlain Valley Union/Shelburne, Vt.) rounded out the All-Tournament selections.
The 2008 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Selection Announcement will be streamed online via
NCAA.com. The selection show will air Mon., Nov. 10 at Noon.