TROY, N.Y. —The 17th-ranked William Smith College lacrosse team defeated RPI 17-7 in a Liberty League matchup at Renwyck Field this afternoon. With the win, the Herons are now 3-0 in conference play and 5-2 overall.
 
Sophomore Ellie Burns led the Herons with five points scoring twice and recording three assists. First-year Payton McMahon recorded a game high of three goals. Sophomore Rachel Yackel had her second hat trick of the season. Five Herons scooped up two ground balls apiece. Sophomore Kelsey Williams and Senior Bizzer Gahagan each caused three turnovers. Williams also won seven draws. Sophomore Jules Kennedy made seven saves in 60 minutes in goal
 
Michelle Bolger recorded a team high of three goals for RPI. Abby Salvon finished with three points notching two goals and an assist for the Engineers. Bolger and Nora Molino won three draw controls apiece. Shannon Amarello scooped up six ground balls. Aleena Milinski made 11 saves in 50 minutes in goal.
 
The Herons had a slow start to the first period. Burns had the first goal for William Smith on a pass from McMahon putting the Herons on the board 2-1 ten minutes into the first half. Anna Murphy tied the game two minutes later. Nicki Santora gave the Herons their first lead of the game scoring with eleven minutes left in the first period. Murphy was credited with the assist. Williams scored at the beginning of a five goal run for the Herons. Santora and Yackel scored with Slagle adding two more for the Herons to end the first half leading 8-5.
 
Bolger started off the second half closing in on the Heron's lead 8-6. McMahon was quick to add two goals. Burns recorded one assist. Yackel, Lawver, and McMahon added three more goals for William Smith. The Herons led 13-6 with 18 minutes left in the second period. William Smith continued the strong scoring effort when Burns had her second goal of the game off a pass from Slagle. Gahagan and Yackel found the back of the net increasing the Heron's lead to 16-7. Sophomore Sadie Mapstone had the last goal of the game with two minutes left to secure a win 17-7. Bolger recorded the second goal for RPI in the second half.
 
The Herons had a strong defensive effort in the second half holding the Engineers to two goals. William Smith finished the game with 32-15 lead in shots. William Smith led 17-8 on draw controls.  The Herons were 14 for 14 on clears and RPI cleared the ball 12 times on 18 attempts.
 
William Smith will be back in action tomorrow Saturday, March 23, when it takes on Union. Opening draw in Schenectady, N.Y. is scheduled for 2 p.m.