The William Smith College soccer team begins its 2017 campaign at the Salisbury Classic, taking on No. 16 McDaniel on Friday, Sept. 1 at 4 p.m., and Salisbury on Saturday at 1 p.m. The Herons open 2017 ranked No. 4 in the nation in the United Soccer Coaches' preseason poll.
 
Head Coach Aliceann Wilber starts her 38th season at the helm of the program. The only soccer coach William Smith has ever known, her record stands at 536-130-57. Last season, her Herons went 21-1-0 advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals. William Smith posted a perfect 8-0-0 record in the Liberty League, clinching its 10th straight Liberty League regular season and tournament titles. The 2016 Herons broke the program's single season records for goals (86), assists (71) and points (243).
 
William Smith lost eight players to graduation, Shay Callahan, Emma Diehl, Ella McMackin, Lauren Randaccio, Brie Ruane, Kara Shue, MacKenzie Smith and Bridget Westerman. The Class of 2016 graduated with the highest four-year win percentage (.915) and the most wins (79) in program history. Diehl and Shue were named first team All-Americans, as well as, the Liberty League Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year, respectively. Diehl, Shue, Westerman and Ruane collected all-region honors.
 
This season William Smith's roster features 15 returners, including six seniors in Lauren Kogelmann, Theresa Lohr, Evie Manning, Kate Spiegel, Katherine Campbell and Cailin MacLean.
 
Manning is the Herons' top returning scorer. She played in all 22 games last fall, ranking second on the team with 28 points and 11 goals. Manning earned first team all-region and all-league accolades last year. Kogelmann is back at midfield. The second team all-league pick started every game in 2016 and posted four goals and four assists. MacLean played in 20 games and registered a goal and two assists, while Spiegel saw time in 19 matches and added a goal and an assist. Lohr and Campbell played key roles in the Heron defense that notched 16 shutouts, ranked ninth in the nation with a .727 shutout percentage, and 21st with a 0.46 goals against average. Lohr played in every game and added six assists. Campbell saw time in 20 matches and posted a goal and an assist.
 
The Heron junior class includes goalies Kaileen Murray and Veronica Romines. Murray played in five games before being sidelined by an injury last fall. An All-Liberty League selection, Romines logged a 0.41 goals against average, a .781 save percentage and an 18-1-0 record. She finished the season ranked 16th in the nation in goals against average.
 
Junior Megan Richard is William Smith's second leading scorer back for this season. She notched 19 points on eight goals and three assists in 2016. Phoebe Wade is back at midfield after playing in 20 games last fall. She registered four goals and two assists. Sarah Olick-Sutphen is another returning scoring threat. She played in 20 games last year and notched two goals, both game winners, and five assists. Barwick is a key piece of the Heron defense. She saw time in every game last fall and chipped in one goal.
 
Sophomores Elizabeth Moore, Jocelyn Mitiguy and Eileen Rath round out the William Smith returners. Moore and Rath look to build on rookie seasons that saw them play key roles in the Herons' stifling defense. Moore played in 17 games and added a goal and an assist, while Rath played in all but one game and recorded an assist. Mitiguy saw time in nine games last year and tallied three goals.
 
After this weekend's games, the Herons will host No. 2 Messiah for their home opener on Sept. 9. The game will start at noon following the Carver-DeLaney Family Press Box and Stadium Seating dedication at 10 a.m. William Smith will open Liberty League play on Saturday, Sept. 23, when it hosts Skidmore at 3 p.m.