GENEVA, N.Y.-The fifth-ranked William Smith College soccer team defeated seventh-ranked Messiah 2-0 in a non-conference contest on Cozzens field this afternoon. With the win, the Herons are now 3-0-0 to start the season.
 
First-year Seneca Blakely-Armitage opened the scoring in the 15th minute. She collected the ball at the top of the box, dribbled around her defender and fired a shot into the lower right corner of the cage. Her second goal of the season was unassisted.
 
The Falcons (3-1-0) nearly tied the game five minutes later but Sunny Gelnovatch's shot from outside the box was turned aside by Amanda Kesler. Ellie Lengacher had Messiah's best scoring opportunity of the first half in the 25th minute. Her shot from the top of the 18-yard box was turned aside by Kesler at the last second.
 
William Smith doubled its lead 56 seconds into the second half. Junior Amanda Adams flipped a shot from the penalty spot off the right goal post and across the goal line. The unassisted goal was her first of the season. In the closing minutes of the game, Messiah had its best scoring opportunity of the game. Rebecca Ritchie carried the ball into the box and fired a shot on goal but her attempt was smothered by a diving Kesler.
 
The Herons finished the game with a 12-7 edge in shots. The Falcons earned seven corner kicks to William Smith's five.
 
Kesler started in goal for William Smith and made five saves as she notched her third shutout of the season. Lydia Ewing started in goal for Messiah, making five saves.
 
The Herons will be back in action next Saturday, Sept. 14, when they take on Geneseo in non-conference action. The game is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m.