GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College senior Kara Shue notched a hat trick as the No. 4 Herons topped Denison 3-1 in the final game of the William Smith Invitational on Cozzens Field this afternoon. The Herons improve to 3-0 this season.
 
The Big Red, who was receiving votes in the preseason poll, fall to 0-2-0. It was the first hat trick of Shue's college soccer career. She now leads William Smith with 11 points on four goals and three assists.
 
Shue opened the scoring 20:55 into the game. She took a pass from senior Ella McMackin and slid her low rolling shot underneath the diving Denison goalie. It was McMackins' third assist this year. The Big Red answered in the 28th minute. Grace Murray scored on a hard shot from the left side of the box. Pheobe Gilbert earned the assist. However, just 46 seconds later, Shue struck again. She broke through the Denison defense carrying the ball deep into the zone for a one-on-one with the keeper, blasting her shot from the left side into the right side of the goal.
 
Shue capped her hat trick in the 80th minute. Senior Brie Ruane sent a cross from the right side, across the goal mouth to find Shue at the left post.
 
One of Denison's best scoring chances in the second half came with 18:29 remaining, when Denison earned a free kick after a William Smith foul. It was sent into the box by Drew Wentzel. The ball came to Ashlyn Flaherty, whose shot from about eight yards out was blocked by a Heron defender.
 
Sophomore Kaileen Murray played all 90 minutes in goal for William Smith. Jenny Herold finished with three saves for the Big Red. The Herons held a 13-5 advantage in shots and a 3-0 lead in corners.
 
William Smith will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 10, when it travels to take on No. 3 Messiah at noon.