Box Score
GENEVA, N.Y.—In a battle of nationally ranked, unbeaten field hockey teams, 19th-ranked William Smith got a pair of goals from sophomore
Annie Kietzman and survived a furious comeback bid by No. 17 Franklin & Marshall for a 2-1 victory in the finale of the William Smith Classic on McCooey Field.
The Diplomats (5-1) dominated the stat sheet but struggled to solve the Heron defense. F&M outshot the Herons 12-4, including 6-1 in the second half, and had an 8-1 advantage in penalty corners. William Smith sophomore goalie
Taryn Little made six saves, while the defenders in front of her frustrated the Diplomats' attack.
The Herons seized the lead in the seventh minute when first-year Melanie O'Connor took a shot that was headed straight for the F&M keeper. Kietzman put a stick on it at the last minute, redirecting it into the upper right corner of the cage.
In the 16th minute, sophomore Steph McDonald scored from the left side of the circle on a penalty corner. Senior Eileen O'Reilly earned the assist.
William Smith regained the lead in the 26th minute when first-year
Margaret McConnell broke in alone on the Diplomats' goal. Senior Sarah Dileo (1 save) stopped McConnell's shot, but trailing the play was Kietzman, who one-timed the rebound home for a 2-1 advantage.
Franklin & Marshall kept the Herons under nearly constant pressure in the second half, but failed to find the equalizer.
William Smith will be back in action on Sept. 24, when the Herons open Liberty League play at Skidmore.
