PINE VALLEY, N.Y.-The William Smith College ice hockey team was defeated by top-ranked Elmira 4-0 in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference game at the Murray Athletic Center this afternoon. The Herons are now 13-5-0 overall on the season and 11-2-0 in conference play.
 
Sophomore Olivia Williams made 33 saves in goal for William Smith. Elmira (14-2-1, 10-0-0) was led by Maddy Jerolman (2a) and Eliza Beaudin (1g, 1a) who each had multi-point games. Stephanie Martin stopped all 14 shots she faced as she posted the shutout.
 
The Soaring Eagles racked up offensive zone time, outshooting the Herons 20-3 in the opening period. Elmira broke through for its first goal of the game at the 14:39 mark of the first period when Katie Granato wristed a shot from the slot past Williams. Beaudin and Kiana Melvin were credited with assists on the power-play goal. It was Granato's 22nd goal of the season.
 
Beaudin added a goal of her own 84 seconds into the second period. She broke down the left wing and wristed a shot from the left faceoff circle over Williams' blocker into the upper right corner of the goal. Jerolman and Emma Crocker were credited with assists on Beaudin's seventh goal of the season. Ariella Haas made it 3-0 at the 7:39 mark when she beat Williams for her seventh goal of the season. She one-timed a shot from the right faceoff circle into the back of the net. Amanda Zenstein and Jerolman were credited with assists on the goal.
 
Late in the second period William Smith nearly broke the shutout. Sophomore Julia Mings had a shot from the slot turned aside by Martin. Senior Egan Sachs-Hecht rebound attempt was also stopped by Martin. Sophomore Alison Weiss' follow up shot was blocked by Bella Hanson.
 
Tristen Tolan added an insurance goal for the Soaring Eagles at the 15:46 mark of the third period. Her fourth goal of the season was assisted by Ronnie Callahan and Jess Adams.
 
Elmira finished the game with a 37-14 edge in shots on goal. The Soaring Eagles were 1-for-3 with the extra attacker, right on their season average, which led the nation coming into the game. The Herons were 0-for-5 on the power play.
 
William Smith locked up its second consecutive appearance in the UCHC playoffs on Friday night following Stevenson's loss to Utica. The bottom four teams in the UCHC standings cannot overtake the Herons. The Pioneers, Elmira and Nazareth also secured playoff spots this afternoon.
 
William Smith and Elmira will be back in action tomorrow afternoon, Jan. 27. The Soaring Eagles will make the return trip to Geneva for a 4 p.m. faceoff.