GENEVA, N.Y.-The 17th-ranked William Smith College lacrosse team defeated Messiah 9-5 in a defensive battle on Boswell Field at David J Urick Stadium this afternoon. The Herons won their sixth consecutive game to improve to 8-2 overall this season.
 
First-year Payton McMahon led the way for the Herons, recording a game-high five points on three goals and two assists. Sophomore Sadie Mapstone added a pair of goals. Sophomore Mekayla Montgomery had a game-high six ground balls and won five draws. Junior Rachael Piercey and sophomore Jules Kennedy each had a game-high three caused turnovers. Kennedy made three saves in goal for the Herons.
 
The Falcons (1-9) were led by Joanna King who had three assists. Five different players scored for Messiah. Jessie Wynne scooped up a team-high four ground balls and Katelyn Pearson won three draws. Amber Omer made 13 saves in goal for Messiah.
 
The Falcons jumped out to a 2-0 lead seven minutes into the game on goals by Abbey Howard and McKenna Edwards. Howard's 14th goal of the season was assisted by King. Edwards' 12th goal came off a free position shot.
 
William Smith scored seven of the game's next eight goals, including four in the first half as they held a 4-3 lead at the break. McMahon's tally at the 21:02 mark of the first half put William Smith on the board. Her 11th goal of the season was an unassisted goal. Natalie Hoff gave Messiah a 3-1 lead at 16:42 of the first half. She collected a pass from King and fired it past Kennedy. Five minutes later, sophomore Ellie Burns collected a pass from McMahon in front of the crease and bounced a shot past Omer for her team leading 29th goal of the season. Junior Nicki Santora tied the game, firing home a free position attempt for her 13th goal of the season. Two minutes later, McMahon scored her second goal of the game. Her 12th goal of the season was an unassisted goal.
 
McMahon completed the hat trick just over two minutes into the second half.  Her 13th goal of the season was assisted by junior Rachel Slagle. Montgomery scored her eighth goal of the season 18 seconds later. She won the draw following McMahon's goal, drew a pair of free position shots and beat Orner with the second attempt. Mapstone gave William Smith a four-goal lead with her eighth tally of the season. She accepted a pass from McMahon in front of the cage and bounced a shot into the back of the net.
 
Jamie Bishop scored a woman-up goal a minute later cut the deficit to three goals. Mapstone added a second goal of the game with 20:19 remaining in regulation. Her ninth goal of the season was unassisted. Makenzie Schnur added a woman-up goal with 16:37 left in regulation. Sophomore Anna Murphy wrapped up the scoring with her 12th goal of the season with 5:09 left in regulation.
 
William Smith finished the game with a 28-9 edge in shots and a 27-16 edge in ground balls. The Herons were 22-of-26 clearing the ball and the Falcons were 15-of-20.
 
William Smith continues its five-game homestand next weekend, April 5-6, when it welcomes Clarkson and St. Lawrence to Boswell Field for a pair of Liberty League games. Friday's game with the Golden Knights is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. Openning draw with the Saints is scheduled for 2 p.m.