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Hobart and William Smith Colleges Athletics

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Sheila McQuillen
KEVIN COLTON

William Smith Soccer Mackenzie Larsen '12

#2 William Smith to take on #8 Pomona-Pitzer in national semifinals

The No. 2 William Smith College soccer team will take on eighth-ranked Pomona-Pitzer in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship. The Herons and the Sagehens will kick off at 1:45 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, at UNC-Greensboro Soccer Stadium in Greensboro, N.C.
 
William Smith is 20-1-1 overall and enters the semifinals riding a 16-game win streak, the longest active streak in Division III. The Herons are making their 11th appearance in the national semifinals and first since 2013. William Smith is ranked third in the nation in goals against average (0.27), third in shutout percentage (.773), fourth in winning percentage (.932) and 14th in save percentage (.878). The Herons have allowed just six goals this season, only Pomona-Pitzer (5) and MIT (4) have surrendered fewer goals.
 
Offensively, William Smith has spread the wealth this season with 18 players accounting for the team's 51 goals. Junior Sheila McQuillen leads the team with 23 points on nine goals and five assists. She has found her scoring touch of late, notching five goals in four NCAA tournament games. Junior Julia Keogh and sophomore Sarah Gray are second on the team with five goals each. First-year Katrine Berg leads the team with six assists. McQuillen and junior Amanda Adams are tied for second with five assists each.
 
Sophomore Amanda Kesler has played a majority of the minutes in goal this season. She is 20-1-1 with .878 save percentage and a 0.28 goals against average. Kesler's 14 shutouts are second most in Division III. She ranks fourth in the nation in GAA and 17th in save percentage.
 
Pomona-Pitzer brings a 20-1-2 overall record into the weekend. The Sagehens earned a spot in the NCAA tournament after winning the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference automatic bid. Pomona-Pitzer advanced out of the Washington (Mo.) sectional. The Sagehens and Bears played to a 0-0 tie with Pomona-Pitzer advancing on penalty kicks 5-4. The Sagehens are making their first trip to the national semifinals. Pomona-Pitzer is first in the nation in shutout percentage (.870), second in goals against average (0.21), second in save percentage (.933), sixth in winning percentage (.913) 22nd in total goals (62) and 25th in total points (160).
 
Bria VarnBuhler leads Pomona-Pitzer with 21 goals and 45 points. Hannah Mandell is second with 11 tallies. Four players share the team lead with five assists each. Isa Berardo has played a majority of the minutes in goal. She is 15-1-2 with a 0.26 GAA and a .924 save percentage. Berardo is second in the nation in save percentage and third in GAA.
 
This will be the first meeting between the two teams. Fans can follow the action with live stats and live video. The match will also be broadcast live by WHWS-FM (105.7 in Geneva).
 
General admission tickets will be sold as a single day pass this weekend and grants admission for all four semifinal games (women's and men's) on Friday. Saturday's day pass allows ticket holders to attend both national championship games. Day cost $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. An All-Tournament pass will also be sold and allows access to six games. The all-tournament pass costs $20 for adults and $15 for students and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online.
 
Fans who make the trip to Greensboro can join alums, parents and friends for a pregame tailgate. On Friday, the tailgate will start at noon.
 
There will be an on campus watch party in the Scandling Center starting at 1:45 p.m. The game will be streamed on the TVs and prizes will be given out throughout the game.
 
In the other semifinal, No. 25 Carnegie Mellon (14-5-2) will take on No. 1 Messiah (21-1-2) at 11 a.m. The championship match is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7.
 
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Players Mentioned

Amanda Adams

#7 Amanda Adams

M
5' 4"
Junior
Sarah Gray

#19 Sarah Gray

F
5' 9"
Sophomore
Julia Keogh

#17 Julia Keogh

F
5' 6"
Junior
Amanda Kesler

#30 Amanda Kesler

G
5' 9"
Sophomore
Sheila McQuillen

#8 Sheila McQuillen

F
5' 3"
Junior
Katrine Berg

#13 Katrine Berg

F
5' 8"
First-Year

Players Mentioned

Amanda Adams

#7 Amanda Adams

5' 4"
Junior
M
Sarah Gray

#19 Sarah Gray

5' 9"
Sophomore
F
Julia Keogh

#17 Julia Keogh

5' 6"
Junior
F
Amanda Kesler

#30 Amanda Kesler

5' 9"
Sophomore
G
Sheila McQuillen

#8 Sheila McQuillen

5' 3"
Junior
F
Katrine Berg

#13 Katrine Berg

5' 8"
First-Year
F