Box Score Week 1 NFHCA Poll

GENEVA, N.Y.—The 10th-ranked William Smith College field hockey team got goals from five different players and rolled to its third straight win, defeating SUNY Geneseo 5-2 on a muggy night at McCooey Field.
 
The Herons (3-0) put a pair of goals on the board to carry a 2-0 lead into halftime. In the sixth minute, William Smith was awarded a penalty stroke when a Knight stopped a would-be goal with her body. Senior Morgan Atanasio converted for a 1-0 lead.
 
Twice in the next 20 minutes of play, the Herons made a bid to double their lead only to be thwarted by defensive saves. First-year Liz Doherty robbed senior Amy David in the 23rd minute. Just over a minute later, senior Bridget McGovern recorded the first of her two defensive saves on the night, robbing sophomore Madison Finn of a goal. William Smith finally took a 2-0 lead in the 31st minute when senior Margaret McConnell drove home a penalty corner insertion from senior Taylor Cappello.
 
The Herons enjoyed an 11-6 advantage in shots during the opening 35 minutes, but Geneseo wasn't without chances. The Knights matched William Smith's seven penalty corners, but couldn't solve first-year goalie Amy Feda, who made three saves, all in the first half, in 61:36 of play.
 
The Herons padded their lead in the 43rd minute when senior Julia Simmons collected a long cross from classmate Melanie O'Connor. She tapped the bouncing ball out of the air and then swept it through the keeper's pads for a 3-0 lead. Eight minutes later, O'Connor got a goal of her own, batting in a rebound for a 4-0 edge.
 
Junior Kayla Littler made a bid for a 5-0 lead, but McGovern again saved the Knights, clearing the shot off the goal line. Geneseo (2-2) broke up the shutout in the 58th minute. Sophomore Elena Hingston's penalty corner goal was assisted by McGovern. The Knights scored again five minutes later. Sophomore Kailey Suhr sent a shot toward the left post that senior Kerry Hosford tipped in to make it a 4-2 game.
 
William Smith closed out the evening's scoring in the 64th minute with another penalty corner goal. Cappello sent the insertion to junior Sarah Tompson who laced a shot into the lower left corner of the cage.
 
Geneseo sophomore goalie Dayna Mercer went the distance and finished the match with 12 saves.
 
The Herons enjoyed a 26-9 advantage in shots and a 14-10 edge in penalty corners.
 
William Smith will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 14, when the Herons make their first road trip of the season. They'll visit SUNY Oneonta for a 1 p.m. match.