Box Score GENEVA, N.Y.—The 13th-ranked William Smith College lacrosse team handily defeated Clarkson University 21-5 this afternoon in Liberty League action on McCooey Field. The Herons improved their unbeaten record to 9-0 and 3-0 in the conference, while the Golden Knights fell to 1-7 overall, 1-3 in league play. William Smith’s nine straight wins matches its best start since 2000.

William Smith senior Rachel Stahl (C.W. Baker/Baldwinsville, N.Y.) and junior Nina Sperry (Daniel Hand/Madison, Conn.) each recorded three goals and two assists to lead the Herons. Sophomore Brittany Callaghan (St. Luke’s School/Armonk, N.Y.) tallied three goals and an assist, while senior Sarah Davidson (South Burlington/South Burlington, Vt.) added a goal and three helpers.

Junior Golden Knight Alyssa Breed (Pal-Mac/Macedon, N.Y.) led the visitors with a goal and two assists, while classmate Emily Bojarski (West Genesee/Syracuse, N.Y.) tallied twice. Seniors Alicia Chase (Cortland/Cortland, N.Y.) and Rachel Kopels (Queensbury/Queensbury, N.Y.) each added a goal for Clarkson as well.

The Herons got off to a fast start, netting four goals in the first seven minutes. Sperry started things off 1 minute, 17 seconds into the game, assisted by junior Michaela Parnell (Guilford/Guilford, Conn.). Parnell went on to net a free position shot, followed by Sperry setting up sophomore Sarah Goodkind (Millbrook School/Greenwich, Conn.) for William Smith’s third goal. Davidson found the back of the net to cap the opening run with 22:56 remaining in the half. Parnell finished with a goal and two helpers, while Goodkind finished with two goals.

The Golden Knights got on the board with 17:30 left in the period, thanks to Kopels. Bojarski and Breed both tallied before the end of the half, but the Herons scored six straight goals to take a commanding 12-3 advantage into the break.

Junior defender Karin LeBlanc (Conard/West Hartford, Conn.) netted her first career goal to begin the second half scoring, assisted by Stahl. The Herons went on to outscore Clarkson 9-2 in the stanza. First-year Shannon O’Neill (Kent School/Trumbull, Conn.) also recorded her first career goal in the second half.

William Smith junior goalkeeper Becky Josefiak (West Seneca East/West Seneca, N.Y.) collected eight saves and picked up her sixth win of the season, while senior Golden Knight goalie Meagan Emlaw (Norwood-Norfolk/Norfolk, N.Y.) recorded 18 stops.

The Herons will be back in action on McCooey Field tomorrow, April 12, when they host St. Lawrence for another Liberty League contest at 2 p.m. Visit the William Smith lacrosse schedule page for live coverage options.