The fifth-ranked William Smith College soccer team will open the home portion of its schedule on Saturday, Sept. 7, when it hosts seventh-ranked Messiah College on Cozzens Field. The non-conference contest is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. It will be William Smith's second top-10 contest in its first three matches.
 
Saturday will also serve as the third annual fall alumnae weekend for Heron soccer. Saturday's game will be followed by an alumnae reception and meal at the Seneca Yacht Club at 5:30 p.m. Dinner service will start at 6 p.m. You can register online here. For more information or questions about the weekend, contact Assistant Coach Chas Allen.
 
William Smith brings a 2-0-0 record into the weekend. The Herons opened their season in Texas, knocking off preseason No. 10 Hardin-Simmons 1-0 in double overtime. William Smith followed that up with a 3-0 win over Mary Hardin-Baylor on Saturday evening. Junior Maialen Martinez led the Herons with two goals in Texas, including the game-winning goal against the Cowgirls. Sophomore Amanda Kesler played every minute in goal, finishing the weekend with a pair of shutouts.
 
Messiah brings a 3-0-0 record into Saturday's game. The Falcons are coming off a 1-0 win over No. 16 Johns Hopkins on Wednesday night. Messiah is led by Maddie Kohl and Brooke Firestone, who have two goals each. Ellie Lengacher leads the team with a pair of assists. Lydia Ewing has played every minute in goal, posting three shutouts to start the year.
 
Saturday's game will be the 12th all-time meeting between William Smith and Messiah. The series record currently stands at 4-4-3. The Herons hold a 2-0-2 edge in games on Cozzens Field. William Smith is unbeaten in its last four tries against the Falcons including a 1-0 win in Grantham, Pa., last year. Megan Barwick '19 scored the game's lone goal and Kesler made three saves in net.
 
Fans who cannot make it to Cozzens Field can follow all the action with Live Stats and HWS All-Access Video. The game will also be broadcast live on WHWS-FM (105.7 FM in Geneva).