The No. 8 William Smith College soccer team earned its ninth straight victory, topping Skidmore 3-0 in a Liberty League match played this afternoon at the Thoroughbreds' Wachenheim Field.

It was the first league loss for Skidmore (5-5-2, 2-1-2 Liberty), while the Herons improve to 10-2-0 overall and 5-0-0 in conference play.

Senior Krista Long pushed William Smith in front just 53 seconds into the game from a perfectly worked corner. Sophomore Kara Shue got on the end of a cross at the near post, flicking a header that landed at Longo's feet in front of the Skidmore goal for the easy finish.

Sophomore midfielder Emily Saliterman created the Thoroughbreds best chance of the first half just over seven minutes later with a rocket from 25 yards, forcing William Smith first-year goalkeeper Nicole McGlinchy to make a fingertip save pushing the ball over the bar.

The Herons nearly extended their lead in the 34th minute, but Skidmore goalkeeper Deirdre Walsh made a diving save to deny sophomore Brie Ruane's strike from 18 yards. Ruane broke through again in the 40th minute, dribbling past two defenders and curling a strike towards the right post, but Walsh went full stretch to keep the Thoroughbreds within one at the half.

William Smith pressed early in the second and was rewarded 4:29 in, as senior Madeline Buckley unleashed a half volley from 18 yards that dipped just under the crossbar. Sophomore Shay Callahan netted an insurance goal in the 81st minute, racing onto a long pass and touching the ball around a charging Walsh before slotting a shot into the empty net. Sophomore MacKenzie Smith earned an assist on the play.

The Herons held the Thoroughbreds to four shots, securing their eighth shutout of the season. Walsh made five saves for Skidmore, while McGlinchy stopped two shots to earn her second collegiate shutout. William Smith also held a 5-2 edge in corners.

The Herons travel to take on Rensselaer in another Liberty League contest tomorrow, Oct. 18, at 2 p.m.