GENEVA, N.Y.—The No. 4 William Smith College soccer team defeated No. 20 Puget Sound 3-1 in its home opener and the first game of the William Smith Invitational on Cozzens Field this afternoon. The Herons improve to 2-0-0 .
 
It was the Loggers first game of the season and their first loss since Oct. 29, 2014, when they fell 3-1 to Pacific Lutheran. Puget Sound went undefeated last season and ended both 2015 and 2014 with ties in the second round of the NCAA tournament.
 
Senior Kara Shue led the Herons with a goal and an assist. Sophomore Megan Richard sent home what proved to be the game-winning goal for William Smith in the 72nd minute. Sophomore Kaileen Murray played all 90 minutes in goal and made one save.
 
The first 10 minutes of the first half were a battle in the middle of the field. After that the Herons controlled the ball mostly in their offensive end for the remainder of the first half. With just under 30 minutes on the clock, sophomore Phoebe Wade found herself wide open for a shot on goal. Puget Sound goalie, Lauren Thomas made a diving save to her left to keep the game scoreless. Thomas finished with six saves in all 90 minutes in goal. With 10:32 remaining in the first, Shue gave the Herons a 1-0 lead. She carried the ball in from the top of the box and left-footed her shot just out of reach of the diving goalie and inside the far right post. It was her first goal of the season.
 
The Loggers came out with some momentum early in the second half. They earned a free kick in their offensive zone, but Veronica Chung sent a hard shot wide right. Shortly after, Puget Sound had one of its best scoring chances of the game, when Lura Morton blasted a shot on goal, but Murray made the vertical leap to keep the Loggers off the board.
 
With 25:14 remaining, the Herons were whistled for a foul in the box and the Loggers were awarded a penalty kick. Jacquelyn Anderson's shot slid in after Murray got a piece of it, but not enough to make the stop.
 
Richard took back the lead for William Smith with 18:37 left in the match. She took a perfectly placed cross from Shue from the left side and placed her shot from right in front into the back of the net. It was Richard's second goal this year. Senior Brie Ruane notched the insurance goal with 10:16 to go. Senior Shay Callahan set up the play with a cross from the left side.
 
William Smith finished with an 18-3 advantage in shots, including an 8-0 lead in the first half. The Herons registered four corner kicks, while Puget Sound did not earn one in the game.
 
The Herons will be back in action tomorrow, Sept. 4, taking on Denison at 2 p.m. The Loggers will face Oneonta tomorrow, Sept. 4 on Cozzens Field at 11 a.m.