The William Smith College soccer team begins the 2016 season with three games in four days. The Herons head to Elmira on Thursday, Sept. 1, before playing No. 25 Puget Sound and Denison, which is receiving votes in the preseason poll, in the William Smith Invitational on opening weekend.
 
"We had a highly productive spring season, and when you combine that with the added boost of a large, strong, committed senior class it bodes well for how the season will shape up," said Head Coach Aliceann Wilber. She enters her 37th season at William Smith looking to secure the team's 32nd consecutive winning season. "This year's team has a strong soccer intellect and a lot of mobility which will allow us to be flexible in the upcoming season."
 
Wilber welcomes back 21 returners from last year's roster and adds five first-years to the varsity program. "They are a group of bright young women with a lot of athleticism and promise. We expect a fast transition for them into our style of play and our soccer culture."
 
The Heron roster features eight seniors: Shay Callahan, Emma Diehl, Ella McMackin, Lauren Randaccio, Brie Ruane, Kara Shue, MacKenzie Smith and Bridget Westerman. Seven of those student-athletes started their William Smith soccer careers capturing the 2013 national title as first-years. Shue and Ruane collected All-Liberty League first team honors in 2015, while Randaccio earned a spot on the second team, and Diehl garnered honorable mention. Shue, who was also named to the NSCAA All-East Region first team, led the team with 11 assists in 2015, and Ruane, who collected first team all-region honors, ranked second with 10 goals. Randaccio (8 goals) and Callahan (4 goals, 3 assists) were offensive forces last season. McMackin (2 goals) and Smith (2 goals, 1 assist) were key players in the midfield who also had the ability to score. Westerman played an important role in the Herons' stifling defense that sported a 0.26 goals against average last year.
 
William Smith's six juniors bring even more depth and experience to the roster. "Our depth this year makes things highly competitive. Starting spots are still on the line as we head into the first few games," said Wilber.
 
Lauren Kogelmann and Evie Manning return at midfield. Kogelmann saw time in all 22 games last fall, earning one assist. Manning, an All-Liberty League second team pick, played in 19 games, starting 18 and contributed 14 points on four goals and six assists. Theresa Lohr, Kate Spiegel and Katherine Campbell all played important parts in the Heron defensive scheme. Campbell was an All-Liberty League first team selection last fall. She anchored the defense in 21 games, starting 20 and earned two assists, while Lohr played in 18 matches and registered an assist.  Spiegel saw time in 22 games, logging a goal and four assists. Cailin MacLean returns up top. She saw time in eight matches last year, notching two assists.
 
Sophomores Kaileen Murray, Veronica Romines, Phoebe Wade, Megan Barwick, Sarah Olick-Sutphen, Megan Richard and Kristina Camaj are ready to build on solid rookie seasons. Murray and Romines are pushing for the starting spot in goal after both saw time last season. Olick-Sutphen played in 21 games, posting two goals and six assists for 14 points. Camaj and Richard also made an impact offensively. Camaj notched three goals in 17 games, and Richard added a goal and an assist in 18 matches. Barwick played in 18 games at midfield adding two goals and an assist. Wade moved up to the varsity team from the junior varsity program late in the season. She played in six games and scored a goal.
 
William Smith is facing the Soaring Eagles for the first time since 2007. After hosting No. 20 Puget Sound and Denison in the William Smith Invitational, the Herons travel to Grantham, Pa., to face No. 3 Messiah. William Smith will then host Fredonia for another non-league contest, before competing in the 2016 Upstate Collegiate Cup hosted by Ithaca College. The Herons will open Liberty League play on Sept. 24, when they host St. Lawrence on Cozzens Field.