The No. 4 William Smith College soccer team blanked No. 3 Messiah 2-0 in a non-league game played in Grantham, Pa. The Herons spoiled the Falcons home opener, scoring a goal in each half to improve to 4-0-0 this season.
 
It's the first time William Smith has earned a win in Grantham, Pa., and the first time the Falcons have lost on their home field since Sept. 4, 2013, when they fell 2-1 to Johns Hopkins. The win marked William Smith's second victory in its rivalry with Messiah, improving their series record to 2-4-3. It's the first time the Falcons have lost by a shutout since falling at the hands of the Herons 1-0 back on Sept. 7, 2013. It was William Smith's first shutout of the 2016 season.
 
The stifling Heron defense limited the Falcons to just two shots, both coming in the first half, and no shots on goal.
 
In the 29th minute, sophomore Sarah Olick-Sutphen beat her defender for an open shot that gave the Herons a 1-0 advantage. It was her second goal this year. Junior Evie Manning added to the William Smith lead with 23:30 to go. She carried the ball down the middle of the field, and broke through for some space at the top of the box. Manning sent a low, rolling shot into the back of the net. It was also her s second goal this year.
 
The Herons held a 6-2 advantage in shots and a 4-1 lead in corners. Sophomore Veronica Romines got her first start of the 2016 season in goal for William Smith, but did not face a single shot. Sara Yunez played all 90 minutes in goal for Messiah and made one save.
 
The Herons will be back in action on Tuesday, Sept. 13, when they host Fredonia for another non-conference game at 4 p.m.