William Smith senior Evie Manning scored twice as the No. 7 Heron soccer team defeated No. 23 Misericordia 3-1 this afternoon on Cozzens Field.
 
William Smith is now 5-1-0 overall. The Herons served the Cougars (5-1-2) their first loss this season. William Smith is now 2-0-0 all-time against Misericordia, as the teams were meeting for the first time since 2011.
 
Manning now leads the Herons with four goals this season. First-year Merilyn Hinrichs chipped in her first collegiate goal in the win. Junior Veronica Romines played all 90 minutes for William Smith and made two saves. Jackie Stevens scored the lone goal for the Cougars. Alyssa Pojero made four saves in goal for Misericordia.
 
Manning opened the scoring for William Smith just 9:56 in. After a give and go with junior Megan Richard, Manning drilled her shot into the left side of the goal. Stevens evened the score for the Cougars just 4:17 later. After a quick throw-in by Misericordia, Jackie Stevens sprinted at goal with a Heron defender by her side, she just edged her defender for a one-on-one with the keeper and placed her shot into the right side of the net.
 
In the 35th minute, Manning struck again for the Herons to take back the lead. She collected a short go-ahead pass from junior Phoebe Wade, came streaking down the middle of the box and fired her shot into the back of the net. Hinrichs added the insurance goal in the 70th minute. First-year Julia Keough pushed a pass ahead to Hinrichs, who carried the ball deep in the box and scored from right in front.
 
The Herons finished with a 16-5 advantage in shots and a 4-3 edge in corners.
 
William Smith will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 23, when it opens Liberty League play, hosting Skidmore at 3 p.m.