PINE VALLEY, N.Y.-The William Smith College hockey team was edged by Manhattanville 2-1 in a United Collegiate Hockey Conference semifinal at the Murray Athletic Center this evening. The Herons conclude their season with an 18-9-0 overall record.
 
First-year Mia LaPlante scored for William Smith. Sophomore Amanda Aalto started in goal and made 30 saves in just over 58 minutes of action.
 
Ali Howard scored both goals for the Valiants (17-7-3) to finish with a game-high two points. Lena Flores started in goal and made 25 saves for Manhattanville
 
William Smith finished the first period with a slight 10-7 edge in shots on goal. Junior Jules Kennedy had the game's first chance just over a minute in, but Flores made a glove save on the shot from the slot. Amanda Sabia had Manhattanville's best chance of the first period, but Aalto made a glove save on the shot from the point.
 
All three goals in the game came in the second period. LaPlante opened the scoring at the 5:22 mark. She picked up her own rebound, deked around a defender and flipped a backhanded shot past Flores for her 12th goal of the season. Junior Lexi Nottke and senior Gina Scibetta were credited with assists on the goal. With her 25th assist of the year, Scibetta broke her own record with 41 points this season. William Smith's all-time leading scorer, she finishes her career with 114 points on 52 goals and 62 assists.
 
Howard tied the game at the 12:04 mark of the second period with her 15th goal of the season. She collected a pass from Tianna Lopes and one-timed a shot from the point past Aalto. Howard scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal two minutes later. Zoey Pellowitz nd Amanda Sabia were credited with assists on the power play goal.
 
Manhattanville smothered William Smith in the third period, limiting the Herons to five shots. With 35 seconds remaining in regulation, William Smith pulled Aalto in favor of the extra attacker. First-year Julianna Gong wristed a shot on cage, but her shot was covered by Flores.
 
With the win, the Valiants advance to tomorrow's UCHC Championship game.
 
Tonight's game was the final game for seniors Gina Scibetta, Kate Klimaszewski, and Morgan McMinn. They compiled a four-year record of 59-35-12 and will graduate as the winningest class in program history. Scibetta, Klimasweski and McMinn made three consecutive trips to the UCHC semifinals.