NFHCA Coaches Poll

The William Smith College field hockey team is ranked 11th in the nation in the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association poll, heading into the final weekend of Liberty League play. The Herons will visit Rensselaer on Friday, Oct. 19 and Vassar on Saturday, Oct. 20.
 
William Smith is 11-2 overall. The first place Herons are 4-0 in the conference. A win over the Engineers would secure at least a share of the of the regular season title. William Smith has already clinched a spot in the Liberty League's four-team championship tournament.
 
Senior Annie Kietzman leads the team with 16 assists and 42 points. She is first in the nation in assists per game (1.23). Junior Taylor Cappello has scored a team-high 14 goals to go with two assists for 30 points. Juniors Melanie O'Connor (6-2) and Margaret McConnell (7-0) are tied for third on the team with 14 points while juniors Amy David (5-2-12) and Julia Simmons (5-2-12) give William Smith six players with double digit points.
 
On defense, sophomore goalie Catherine Hare is 9-0 with a 1.22 goals against average and a .765 save percentage. Senior back Sara Helmer has three of the team's four defensive saves this season.
 
Since 1994, William Smith is 18-4 against Rensselaer, but three of the Engineers' four victories have been in Troy. RPI is 7-4 overall and 3-1 in the league. Friday's match is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. Fans can follow the action online with Live Stats.
 
The Herons have never lost to Vassar, winning the 12 previous meetings by a combined score of 43-6. The Brewers are 7-5 heading into a league match against Rochester on Friday. Vassar is winless in three conference matches. Saturday's contest gets under way at 2 p.m. with Live Stats online.