NFHCA Coaches Poll

The William Smith College field hockey team will enter the final week of the regular season ranked 11th in the nation for a second straight week according to the latest National Field Hockey Coaches Association coaches poll.
 
The Herons (13-2, 6-0) produced a pair of Liberty League wins last week, clinching at least a share of the conference crown with a 4-2 win at Rensselaer and securing the title outright with a 6-1 triumph over Vassar. Junior Melanie O'Connor led the way with a team-high seven points on two goals and three assists, earning the Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week Award.
 
The victory over the Brewers was the 100th conference field hockey win for William Smith since the Liberty League was found in 1995 as the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association. The Herons, 100-19 in league play, are the first conference school to reach the century mark.
 
William Smith hosts Hamilton (0-13) on Wednesday, Oct. 24. The non-conference match is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on McCooey Field. Since 1989, the Herons are 20-5-1 against the Continentals, but Hamilton has won four of the past five meetings.
 
William Smith will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, Oct. 27, when ninth-ranked Messiah travels to Geneva. The non-conference contest starts at noon. The Herons will be looking to snap a 12-match losing streak against the Falcons. William Smith's last win over Messiah was a 2-0 decision in Grantham, Pa., on Sept. 4, 1999.
 
Fans can follow the action in both matches online with All-Access Video and Live Stats.