William Smith soccer starts off the 2010 season ranked 16th by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The Herons led by Aliceann Wilber, 2009 Liberty League Coach of the Year, will look to build on the success they achieved in 2009. William Smith posted a 14-3-3 overall record last season. They captured the Liberty League regular season and tournament title for the third straight year, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The team led the nation in save percentage (.924) and shutout percentage (.800).

This year, William Smith returns 10 of 11 starters, having graduated just three seniors from the 2009 squad. The Herons offense will look to the experience of senior forward BreLynn Nasypany for leadership. The two-time All-American and one of four seniors on the team, finished the 2009 season leading the Herons with seven goals and nine assists for 23 points. She now ranks among the Heron top-10 in career goals (t-8th, 35), assists (t-9th, 19), and points (t-8th, 89). For the third consecutive year, she received All-Liberty League First Team. She was named to the NSCAA All-East Region First Team and received ECAC Upstate All-Star First Team honors.

Also returning at forward are junior Kate Redmond and sophomore Renee Jensen. Redmond was named to the All-Region Second Team and to the All-Liberty League Second Team. She finished the season tied for second on the team with five goals and tied for third with 12 points. Jensen recorded five goals and five assists last season to rank second on the team with 15 points. She was also named to the Liberty League All-Tournament Team.

Sophomore Morgan Gibeault will return after playing in 18 games and tallying two goals in 2009. Junior Brooke Nasypany and senior Coleen Richards have both had strong spring and preseason campaigns. First-year Katie Gildemeyer will also look to make an impact at the forward position.

At midfield the Herons return junior Jamie Sawyer, junior Leah Shatkin and sophomore Whitney Frary. All three saw playing time in all 20 games, and were integral parts of the William Smith offense that outscored opponents 30-6 last season. Sawyer started all 20 games and was named to the All-Region Second team. She also received All-Liberty League First Team honors. Frary was named to the All-Liberty Second Team, and finished the season with four goals and four assists and shared third on the team with 12 points.

Junior midfielder Chelsea England will also play a key role for William Smith in 2010. England received All-Liberty League Honorable Mention. She played in 19 games, started 15, and finished the season with two goals and an assist. Junior Mary Jameson and sophomore Emily Harris will both return at midfield. Jameson played in 16 games and had an assist, and Harris saw time in 13 games and recorded two assists. First-years Danielle Moreau and Dana Jensen will look to make an impact at midfield for the Herons.

Key returners for the William Smith defense are junior Alyse DiCenzo and sophomore Emily D'Addario. DiCenzo played in all 20 games, and was selected to the All-Liberty League First Team and named an ECAC Upstate First Team All-Star. DiCenzo and D'Addario helped lead a defense that recorded 16 shutouts and allowed just six goals all season. D'Addario started in 18 of the 19 games she played in last season.

The Herons will also look to returning juniors, Sarah Tarantino, Jessie Tarantino, and Leslie Carrese for experience on defense. Sarah Tarantino started in all 20 games. Jessie Tarantino started 16 of the 17 games she played in, and Carrese saw time in 19 games. Also joining the Heron defense sophomore Maggie Bernay and senior Emily Potter, who are both up from junior varsity, as well as first-year Olivia Zitoli.

The William Smith defense will be anchored by junior goalie Amanda Davis. Davis played all but 61 minutes in goal last season. She tallied 14 shutouts and allowed just six goals. She posted a 0.29 goals against average which was fifth in the country, and a .919 save percentage that ranked third. Davis received All-Region First Team honors, and was named to the All-Liberty League First Team. She was selected the Liberty League Tournament MVP and named to the ECAC Upstate All-Star First Team. Chelsea Dunay comes in as a first-year goalkeeper, and has impressed everyone with her attention in goal.

William Smith will start off its season on Sept. 1 with a trip to Cortland. The Herons' home opener will be on Sept. 11 when they host Denison in the first round of the Heron Cup. Liberty League play will begin on Sept. 24 when the Herons travel to Skidmore. This year William Smith will face three teams that are ranked in the NSCAA top 25. The Herons will play three ranked opponents, No. 25 Denison on Sept. 25, No. 12 Wheaton (Ill.) on Sept. 17, and No. 7 Williams on Sept. 18.