Box Score

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.—The William Smith field hockey team's comeback attempt came up short against the top seeded Skidmore in the Liberty League tournament championship game. The Herons fell 2-1 in a thrilling matchup at Thoroughbred Field.

After battIing back and forth for the first 20 minutes of the game, fifth-ranked Skidmore (18-1) opened the scoring in the 25th minute when Liberty League Player of the Year Kelly Blackhurst put Skidmore on top with her 25th goal of the year off a centering pass from Molly Gile. The score remaind 1-0 until Blackurst added an assist in the 45th minute when she found Lauren Tobias open in front of the net for her 15th goal of the season.

The 13th-ranked Herons battled back late in the second half and made it a one-goal game in the 59th minute when junior Annie Kietzman picked up a loose ball in front of the goal and found sophomore Melanie O'Connor who put it in the back of the net for her fifth goal of the season. William Smith continued to battle in the last 10 minutes of the game and earned a golden opportunity to tie when they drew a penalty corner with no time left on the clock. Kietzman inserted a pass to senior Kiersten Hamilton at the top of the circle but Hamilton's shot went just wide.

William Smith kept up the pressure late in the game but couldn't solve Thoroughbred goalie and Tournament MVP Haley McDougall who made eight saves on the afternoon, five of which came in the second half. Heron goalies Taryn Little and Catherine Hare combined to make five saves.

The Herons held a 12-11 shot advantage for the afternoon, while both teams took six penalty corners. 

Four Herons were named to the All-Tournament team: O'Connor, Kietzman, first-year Sarah Tompson, and sophomore Taylor Cappello.

William Smith (15-4) must now await the NCAA Championship tournament committee's deliberations to see if they will earn an at-large bid into the 24-team field. Pairings are expected to be released late Sunday.