The No. 4 William Smith College soccer team scored three goals in the first 11:39 and went on to defeat Vassar College 4-0 in a Liberty League game played today in Poughkeepsie, N.Y. The Herons improve to 13-1-0 and 8-0-0 in conference play.
 
With the win, the Herons secured the top seed in the Liberty League tournament and the conference regular season title. The Brewers fell to 8-4-3 overall and 4-2-1 in the Liberty League. William Smith has just one league game remaining. The Herons travel to take on Farmingdale State tomorrow, Oct. 22, for a non-league game at 1 p.m., before playing their final regular season game at St. Lawrence on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 2 p.m.
 
First-year Merilyn Hinrichs led the team with two goals. Senior Evie Manning recorded a goal and an assist.
 
Just 49 seconds into the game, Manning gave William Smith a 1-0 advantage. She sent her shot from the top of the box right over the keeper. Manning leads the Herons with 11 goals this season. Less than five minutes later, Manning set up Hinrichs' first goal of the game. Then 6:35 later, Hinrichs struck again. This time she broke through the Brewers' defense and beat the goalie for her fifth goal this season. Hinrichs has scored two goals in William Smith's last two games.
 
Senior Elizabeth Moore capped the Heron scoring in the 43rd minute. Her fifth goal of the season came off a corner kick sent into the box by first-year Clare O'Connor. It was O'Connor's first collegiate point.  
 
Junior goalie Veronica Romines played the opening 78:02 in goal for William Smith and stopped both shots she faced. Junior Kaileen Murray came in for the final 11:58 and did not face a shot on goal. Fiona Walsh played all 90 minutes in goal for Vassar and stopped four shots.
 
The Herons finished with a 17-6 advantage in shots and a 6-3 edge in corners.