Box Score GENEVA, N.Y.—The ninth-ranked William Smith College field hockey team survived a wild opener in the William Smith Classic. The Herons twice rallied from a goal down to outlast visiting Manhattanville College 5-4 on McCooey Field today.

Senior Margaret McConnell scored a pair of goals, including the game winner on a penalty stroke in the 65th minute to pace William Smith (6-0). Senior Taylor Cappello added a goal and an assist while senior Melanie O'Connor and sophomore Cory Connelly also hit the back on the cage. First-year goalie Biz Chirco played the final 24:33 without allowing a goal, turning back three shots for her first collegiate win.

First-year Bregje Smits and senior Julia Esposito each posted a goal and an assist for the Valiants (5-3). Senior goalie Amy Hilton turned back 11 of the 16 shots she faced.

William Smith grabbed the early lead when senior Amy David completed on a long lead pass to Connolly in the center of the circle. The transfer from UMass-Dartmouth fired home her first Heron goal in the 12th minute.

Esposito, assisted by Smits, evened the match in the 25th minute and the visitors took their first lead in the 32nd minute on senior Amanda DeChent's team-leading 17th goal.

William Smith came out of the break fired up, needing only 1:14 to tie the match when Cappello fed O'Connor, who fired in her fifth goal of the season. Four minutes later, McConnell received a pass from senior Caitlin Moran and notched her first goal of the day.

The Vailants surged back in the lead with two quick goals of their own. Sharon Konfederak converted a penalty stroke in the 42nd minute to tie the match followed by Smits goal, set up by Esposito, in the 46th minute to take a 4-3 lead.

Cappello set the stage for McConnell's game winner when she finished off a scramble in front of the goal, batting home a rebound in the 55th minute.

Manhattanville will look to bounce back on the second day of the Classic, taking on St. Lawrence at 11 a.m. on Sunday. The Herons will close out the Classic against Lebanon Valley at 2 p.m.