GENEVA, N.Y.-The William Smith College ice hockey team defeated Neumann 6-0 in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference opening round contest at The Cooler this evening. This afternoon's win was the Herons first playoff win in program history and the program record 17th win of the season.
 
William Smith (17-7-2) was led by junior Gina Scibetta (2g, 1a) and sophomore Jules Kennedy (1g, 2a), who had three points each. Senior Stephanie Hampton added a goal and an assist for the Herons. Helen Cooney made 61 saves in goal for the Knights (8-17-1).
 
Playing in its first home playoff game in program history, William Smith took control of the momentum right from the opening whistle. The Herons jumped in front at the 16:23 mark of the first period when Scibetta wristed home her team leading 21st goal of the season. She collected a pass from sophomore Emily Martino in the right faceoff circle and fired a shot into the upper left corner of the goal. William Smith doubled its lead at 19:01 of the opening period. Junior Kate Klimaszewski redirected a shot from the point past Cooney for her second goal of the season. Sophomores Marykate Martino and Julia Mings were credited with assists on the power-play goal.
 
The Herons amassed a 20-7 edge in shots on goal in the first period.
 
Hampton made it 3-0 just past the midway point of the second period. She one-timed a shot from the slot past Cooney for her ninth goal of the season. Scibetta and Kennedy were credited with assists on the power-play goal.
 
First-year Abbey Luth's 18th goal of the season gave William Smith a 4-0 lead 82 seconds into the third period. She redirected a Lexi Nottke shot from the point across the goal line. Rollins was credited with the secondary assist on the goal. Two minutes later Kennedy broke up a clearing attempt in the offensive zone, deked around a defender and fired a shot into the upper left corner of the cage. The unassisted goal was her 17th of the season. Scibetta added an insurance goal at the 14:19 mark of the third period. She one-timed a shot from the slot across the goal line for her 22nd goal of the season. Hampton and Kennedy were credited with assists on the goal.
 
William Smith finished the game with a 67-28 advantage in shots on goal. The Herons were perfect on special teams in this afternoon's contest. William Smith scored on both of their power-play opportunities and killed off all four of Neumann's opportunities.
 
The Herons advance to the semifinals for the second consecutive year. William Smith will take on Nazareth next Saturday at Elmira's Murray Athletic Center. Manhattanville defeated Utica 3-2 in today's other first round game and will take on Elmira in the other semifinal.