Box Score GENEVA, N.Y.—The 11th-ranked Skidmore field hockey team eked out a 2-1 win over William Smith this afternoon, securing a spot in the Liberty League's four-team championship tournament. The Thoroughbreds improved to 11-3 overall, 5-1 in the conference, while the loss dropped the Herons to 8-7, 2-4.

Skidmore held an 18-10 advantage in shots and took 13 penalty corners to William Smith's seven.

The Herons peppered the Thoroughbreds' goal with a flurry of shots in the fourth minute, but junior goalie Liz Catinella made three saves in a span of five seconds to keep the match scoreless. A minute later, Skidmore nearly opened the scoring, but senior Sarah Palmer notched her team-leading fifth defensive save of the season to thwart junior Carolyne McManama's scoring bid.

In the 29th minute, junior Christine Kemp redirected classmate Claire Superak's drive for her team-leading 15th goal of the season, putting the Thoroughbreds up 1-0. Skidmore took the final five shots of the first half, but could not add to its lead.

Heron first-year goalie Taryn Little finished the match with nine saves, including six in the first half.

In the 40th minute, senior Casey Tang gave the Thoroughbreds some breathing room, batting home a rebound for her eighth goal of the season. Skidmore nearly took a 3-0 lead in the 56th minute, but senior Katie Baxter made a defensive save in support of Little to keep William Smith close.

First-year Annie Kietzman got the Herons on the scoreboard in the 60th minute, driving home a shot from the right wing. It was her eighth goal of the season, one off the team lead.

William Smith got off two shots in the waning minutes of the contest, but one went wide of the cage and the other Catinella (4 saves) turned back to preserve the victory.

The Herons will close out their conference slate at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 25, when they host Union, while Skidmore square off with Rochester at the same time.

William Smith can finish in a three-way tie for the fourth and final spot in the Liberty League Tournament if the Herons defeat the Dutchwomen and the Thoroughbreds knock off the Yellowjackets. In that scenario, the conference's first three tie-breakers fail to break the deadlock. The fourth tie-breaker, record against all opponents with a record of .500 or above, would decide the final spot, but will require the tied teams to wait until the end of the regular season on Oct. 31 for it to be applied.