The 2013 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer National Championship trophy is proudly displayed in the trophy case in William Smith College's Winn-Seeley Gym. On Friday, Aug. 29, the 2014 Heron soccer team will begin the quest to defend its national title, all while keeping in mind that this year is a new team with the same goal in mind.
 
On their way to capturing the national title for the second time in program history, the Herons notched a 23-1-0 overall record. William Smith posted a perfect 8-0-0 mark in Liberty League play and won its seventh straight Liberty League tournament championship. William Smith tallied a record 21 shutouts, logging 16 consecutive shutouts to close out the season which stands as the third longest streak in NCAA history. The Herons finished first in the nation with a .875 shutout percentage, allowing just six goals all year.
 
"We've agreed this year is a new year, but we will use the lessons we learned on last year's journey," said William Smith Head Coach Aliceann Wilber. "Last year we got to a special destination with a special team. This year we will use the maturity, the commitment, the two feet in mentality that got us to the national championship last year. Those mechanisms become a part of the team culture that will be applied to this year's team and for years to come."
 
The Herons return 19 members from last year's varsity roster, graduating three seniors, including All-American goalie Chelsea Dunay and All-American defender and NSCAA Player of the Year Olivia Zitoli.
 
"The loss of last year's seniors, their experience and leadership, is something that you cannot quantify," said Wilber. However, the Class of 2015 is a robust group. The Herons' six seniors are already working to fill the void left by the Class of 2014. "They are smart in a lot of ways. They are smart in identifying their strengths, in coming together as a team, in bringing the new people into the team. This group [of seniors] will contribute in so many ways that don't even involve the soccer ball."
 
Here's a look at the 2014 Herons by position:
 
 
 
DEFENSE
 
Last year the Herons boasted one of the stingiest defensive units in the nation. This year, William Smith returns six at the position. Senior Brenna Kincaid garnered All-Liberty League honorable mention in 2013, playing in all 24 games, starting 21. She also earned a spot on the 2013 Liberty League All-Tournament Team. Juniors Zoe Jackson Gibson, Emma Bracken and senior Amanda Faherty are looking to make an impact this year after battling injuries last fall. Gibson saw time in seven matches last year, Faherty played in three while Bracken played in only one. Sophomores Bridget Westerman and Emma Diehl are set to build on solid rookie seasons that saw them jump into starting roles. They each started every game last fall with Diehl also contributing three assists. First-years Kate Spiegel, Katherine Campbell and Theresa Lohr will look to bolster the Heron back line.
 
MIDFIELD
 
Senior MaryClaire Pelletier is displaying a great deal of leadership at the midfield for William Smith. She's guiding an industrious group that also returns experienced players in senior Caitlyn Mitchell, juniors Zoe Eth and Nicki Johnson as well as sophomore MacKenzie Smith. Pelletier, an NSCAA All-Region selection and D3soccer.com All-American, started all 24 games last year and notched five goals and five assists. Mitchell played in 23 matches last year and scored three goals. She was named to the Liberty League All-Tournament team after scoring the game-winning goal in the championship match. Eth played in every match in 2013, starting 21. She produced three goals and an assist. Smith also played in every match in her rookie season. She ranked second on the team with six assists and added one goal. Johnson dealt with an injury last fall that kept her off the field. First-year Lauren Kogelmann and sophomore transfer Brie Ruane will also look to break into the lineup.
 
FORWARD
 
William Smith returns an arsenal of players up front who bring a variety of scoring options. Seniors Madeline Buckley and Krista Longo will guide a seasoned group of returners. Buckley earned All-Liberty League second team honors after leading the Herons with 26 points and 10 goals last fall. Longo was tabbed the 2013 NCAA Championship's Most Outstanding Offensive Player and earned a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team after scoring the game-winning goals in both the national semifinal and national championship matches. She recorded 19 points on eight goals and three assists.
 
Sophomores Kara Shue, Shay Callahan, Ella McMackin and Lauren Randaccio give the Herons even more scoring threats.  An NSCAA All-East selection and the ECAC Upstate and Liberty League Rookie of the Year, Shue started all 24 games as a first-year. The all-conference first team selection led the team with 11 assists and ranked second with 23 points. She also garnered a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team. Callahan posted eight points on three goals and two assists in 21 games, and McMackin scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over then No. 5 Ithaca during the regular season. She saw time in 22 games last fall. Randaccio played in 14 matches scoring her first collegiate goal in a victory over Fredonia. Sophomore Chloe Sudduth joins the Heron varsity team after playing with the JV squad last fall and first-year Cailin MacLean will bring even more depth for the Herons up top.
 
GOAL
 
Junior Jackie Doyle and sophomore Olivia Biles as well as first-year Nicole McGlinchy are all battling for the starting spot in goal. There has been strong competition in the preseason, which is only improving each of their skills.
 
After opening the year with the 2014 Gettysburg Cup this weekend, where the Herons take on the host Bullets on Friday, Aug. 28 at 7 p.m. and then Carnegie Mellon on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m., William Smith will travel to play another non-conference game at No. 9 Messiah on Saturday, Aug. 6 at 1 p.m. The Herons will then compete in the 2014 Upstate Collegiate Cup which is hosted by Cortland, Sept. 13-14, before taking on Fredonia in their first home game on Cozzens Field on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. William Smith will open Liberty League play on Saturday, Sept. 27 against St. Lawrence at 3 p.m.