SCHENECTADY, N.Y.  — The 17th-ranked William Smith College lacrosse team defeated Union 15-5 in a conference match-up this afternoon. With the win, the Herons are 6-2 overall and are now 4-0 in the Liberty League.
 
Sophomore Ellie Burns tallied four goals for the Herons. Senior Bizzer Gahagan had four points notching three goals and one assist. Sophomore Sadie Mapstone scooped up three ground balls. First-year Payton McMahon recorded two assists and won the draw four times. Sophomore Mekayla Montgomery won the draw four times and caused three turnovers. Sophomore Jules Kennedy made five saves in 50 minutes in goal.
 
Lindsay Gerrato scored four times for the Dutchwomen. Isabel Bush recorded two assists and Grace Heiting raked up four ground balls. Elena Driscoll and Gerrato won four draw controls apiece. Ellen Taney made three saves in 25 minutes in goal.
 
The Herons started the first half off strong when Gahagan scored one minute into the contest. Gahagan tallied another point when she found the back of the net seven minutes later, increasing the Heron lead 2-0. After Gerrato put Union on the board, William Smith had seven unanswered goals. Sophomore Anna Murphy tallied two goals and McMahon recorded an assist. Gahagan recorded a hat trick on a free position shot. Junior Nicki Santora increased the Heron lead 6-1 with five minutes left in the first half. Burns notched her 22^nd goal of the season. Sophomore Rachel Yackel had her 11^th goal of the season and McMahon recorded her second assist of the game. Sophomore Kelsey Williams scored the ninth Heron goal to end the first half. Santora recorded an assist.
 
Burns scored the first three goals of the second half and recorded a team high of 25 goals this season. Gerrato chipped away at the Heron lead for the Dutchwomen. Mapstone recorded an assist. Eight minutes later Mapstone increased the Heron lead 13-3 off a pass from Gahagan. Santora recorded her tenth goal of the season with eleven minutes left in the second half. Gerrato notched two more goals for the Dutchwomen. Sophomore Shayla Meehan tallied her first goal of the season with less than a minute left in the second half.
 
William Smith finished the game with a 25-19 lead in shots. The Herons and the Dutchwomen won ten draw controls apiece. William Smith was 15-23 on clear attempts and Union was 10-14. Both teams scooped up 17 ground balls.
 
William Smith will be back in action on Friday, March 29, when they host SUNY Geneseo. Opening draw in Geneva, N.Y. is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Boswell Field at David J Urick Stadium.