GENEVA, N.Y.-The fourth ranked William Smith College soccer team scored four second half goals as they defeated Clarkson 5-0 in a Liberty League contest on Cozzens Field this afternoon. With the win, the Herons are now 8-1-1 overall and 4-0-0 in Liberty League play.
 
The first half was tightly contested with the teams trading chances early. In the sixth minute, Clarkson (7-3-1, 1-2-0) earned a corner kick and generated their best. Alicia Bushey fired a shot from the top of the box at the upper left corner that was punched away by Amanda Kesler at the last second. At the opposite end of the field, William Smith nearly took a 1-0 lead but junior Maialen Martinez had a chance stopped by Elyse Green.
 
The Herons opened the scoring in the 43rd minute. Senior Elizabeth Moore headed home a corner kick for her second goal in as many games. First-year Katrine Berg was credited with an assist on the goal.
 
William Smith doubled its lead in the 53rd minute when junior Sheila McQuillen notched her team-leading third goal of the season. She ran onto the end of an Amanda Adams centering pass and one-timed a shot into the lower left corner of the cage. The Herons pulled away with three goals in a span of six minutes, starting with sophomore Maegan Manning's first collegiate goal in the 62nd minute. She collected a pass from first-year Grace Gillian and chipped a shot over Green and into the back of the net. Just over a minute later, senior Eileen Rath gave William Smith a 4-0 lead with her first goal of the season, cleaning up a scramble in front of the goalie. Martinez was credited with an assist on the goal. Junior Mariah Deschino closed out the scoring with her second goal of the season. She fired a shot from the penalty spot past Green. McQuillen was credited with an assist on the goal.
 
The Herons finished the game with a 21-6 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.
 
Sophomore Amanda Kesler started in goal for William Smith and made two saves in 75 minutes. Fellow Sophomore Justine Pearson came on in relief and did not face a shot. Green stopped six shots in 68 minutes in goal for Clarkson. Emma Timerman made two saves.
 
William Smith will be back in action next Saturday, Oct. 12, when it takes on Vassar. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.