Box Score | Game Highlights

GENEVA, N.Y.—Junior Annie Kietzman batted home her own rebound 4:42 into the second overtime to give the 17th-ranked William Smith field hockey team a 3-2 victory over Rensselaer on McCooey Field today. The come-from-behind triumph clinched a berth for the Herons in the Liberty League's four-team championship tournament.

The game-winner was set up by a William Smith penalty corner. Kietzman sent the insertion to the top of the arc for senior Kiersten Hamilton who sent a screaming shot on frame that RPI senior goalie Briana Earle kicked away. The rebound came right to Kietzman who fired blindly at Engineer sophomore Sarah Krolus. She posted her third defensive save of the match, but that rebound also found its way to Kietzman, who put her second shot into the back of the cage.

Rensselaer (6-4, 3-2) took the early lead when sophomore Kiersten Ryan sticked the first shot of the match into the Heron net. The 11th-minute tally was assisted by junior Alissa Peterson. Fifteen minutes later, junior Holly Dupuis scored off a feed from senior Erika Hawksley for a 2-0 lead.

William Smith (11-2, 4-1) got one back in the 29th minute when Hamilton's penalty corner strike hit the back of the cage off an assist from Kietzman.

The Herons carried the momentum into the second half, outshooting their guests 6-1 in the second period, but they had to hold their breath until just 2:30 remained in regulation. On another penalty corner, Kietzman's insertion again went to Hamilton at the top of the circle. This time she passed to her left to first-year Sarah Tompson, who blistered a shot into the goal to force overtime.

In the first overtime, William Smith carried the play, holding a 6-1 advantage in shots. Earle was up to the task, making six of her 13 saves on the day in the first extra sessoin. Heron first-year goalie Catherine Hare logged her only save of the afternoon in the first extra frame.

William Smith owned a 22-6 advantage in shots, including 11-1 in overtime, and an 11-7 edge in penalty corners. Heron starting goalie Taryn Little made one save in 25:21.

The Herons will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 15, when they host non-conference foe Ursinus at noon. Rensselaer returns home to host St. Lawrence in a Liberty League match on Oct. 15.