GENEVA, N.Y.-The top-ranked William Smith College soccer team played Misericordia, which was receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches Poll, to a scoreless draw in a non-conference contest on Cozzens Field this afternoon. The Herons, are now 4-0-1 overall on the season.
 
William Smith used a strong defensive effort to limit the Cougars (3-2-1) to just nine shots. Misericordia came into the game averaging just over 16 shots a game. Senior Emilie Sauvayre, junior Maialen Martinez and first-year Julia Berg played all 110 minutes anchoring the Herons' defensive effort.  Junior Caleigh Bennett and senior Elizabeth Moore also pitched in on the back end.
 
William Smith had the better of the play early but had a pair of opportunities nullified due to offside calls. In the 18th minute, first-year Katrine Berg showed off her speed, outracing a defender to a loose ball. She broke into the box and fired a shot that just missed the upper right corner of the cage. One minute later, junior Sheila McQuillen had a shot from the top of the 18-yard box turned aside by Alexis Benedetto. In the 21st minute, McQuillen was again denied by Benedetto. The Herons continued to pressure in the offensive zone but could not put the ball into the back of the net.
 
Lauren Anderson had Misericordia's best opportunity of the first half. In the 34th minute, she broke into the box but her shot just missed the crossbar. In the 50th minute, Devyn Anderson had a shot turned aside by a diving Amanda Kesler.
 
William Smith's first scoring chance of the second half came in the 64th minute. Senior Elizabeth Moore headed a corner kick on goal but Benedetto was there to make the save. Junior Merilyn Hinrichs nearly won the game in the 85th minute, but her shot from the top of the 18-yard box just missed the upper right corner of the goal.
 
In the first overtime, the Herons had the better of the scoring chances, but they could not convert. In the 99th minute, McQuillen's shot from 20 yards out was smothered by Benedetto.
 
William Smith finished the game with a 22-9 edge in shots and earned a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
 
Kesler played all 110 minutes in goal and made one save as she earned her fourth shutout of the season. Benedetto made six saves in goal for Misericordia.
 
The Herons will be back in action on Saturday, Sept. 21, when they take on Rochester in a non-conference contest. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.