GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College senior Hannah Connolly posted a game-high five points to lead the Heron lacrosse team to a 10-2 win over St. Lawrence in a Liberty League tournament semifinal played today on Boswell Field. The Herons earned a spot in the championship game for the first time since 2012.
 
William Smith, the tournament's top seed, will face No. 3 Skidmore for the conference title and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. The Thoroughbreds topped No. 2 seed Union 9-8. The championship game will be played on Saturday, May 7, at 3:30 p.m., on Boswell Field.
 
Sophomore Melissa Moore notched her second hat trick in as many games for William Smith (10-7). Senior Geneva Calder added two goals and an assist as well as two draws and two caused turnovers. Senior Emy Stratton and sophomore Cat Wolf each scooped up a team-high three ground balls. Junior goalie Sarah Honan played all 60 minutes in goal and made eight saves.
 
No. 4 seed St. Lawrence finished their season with a 10-8 overall record. Chloe Knapp scored both goals for the Saints. Maddie Rice and Emma Garfield each picked up three ground balls and caused two turnovers. Greta Massey and Alexandra LaMotte each one two draws. Olga Lukas played all 60 minutes and made eight saves.
 
It wasn't until 11:36 into the first half and after each team had fired a free position chance wide that the first goal of the game was scored. Moore put the Herons on the board after an assist from Geneva Calder. Just 24 seconds later, Knapp tied things up for St. Lawrence. With 4:59 left in the first half, junior Allie Flaherty scored on a free position to make it 2-1 and Connollly fed Moore to give the Herons a 3-1 advantage at the break.
 
Connolly opened the second half scoring 1:47 in, notching her 30th goal of the year on a low rolling shot. Knapp answered with her second goal of the day with 26:40 remaining to make it 4-2. William Smith took control of the game, closing it out with a 5-0 run. With 13:54 on the clock, Connolly registered her second of the day. The St. Lawrence keeper was trying to run out the clock during a Saints' woman-down situation, holding the ball behind the crease, but Connolly caused the turnover, picked up the ground ball and scored in the empty net. Connolly then set up Moore to make it 6-2 with 10:45 left. Calder posted back-to-back tallies to extend the Heron lead to 8-2. With 6:23 remaining, junior Alexandra Bird fired home a shot after a pass from Connolly, and sophomore Ali Burns closed out the scoring at 2:53.
 
The Herons held a 34-25 advantage in shots. Each team picked up 18 ground balls and both teams came away with seven draws. William Smith was successful on 19-of-21 clear attempts and the Saints were successful on 13-of-15 tries.