GENEVA, N.Y.- Sheila McQuillen's goal in the 88th minute lifted the eighth-ranked William Smith College soccer team to a 1-0 victory over Geneseo in a non-conference contest on Cozzens Field this afternoon. With their third straight win, the Herons are now 4-1-1 on the season.
The game's decisive play started on the feet of
Nwabisa Qoba. She picked up a loose ball, dribbled into the 18-yard box, spun her defender and slid a pass to McQuillen on the right wing. McQuillen chipped a shot from 30-yards out over the head of the Geneseo goalie and into the left corner of the cage. It was McQuillen's third goal of the season.
Geneseo (4-2-0) controlled the early pace of the game but could not convert. In the sixth minute, Nicole Bell had a shot blocked by the defender. In the 16th minute, Ashleigh Scheidwiler had an attempt smothered by
Amanda Kesler. Seven minutes later, Kesler was called upon again to make a save. She came out of the cage to cut down on the angle and blocked Bell's scoring attempt.
After the early flurry of chances, William Smith changed the flow of the game, generating scoring chances of its own.
Merilyn Hinrichs had William Smith's first two scoring chances. In the 25th minute, her shot from 20 yards out just missed the left goal post. A minute later she had a chance stopped by Mollie Collins. In the 27th minute,
Janne Knieke had a shot hit the right goal post.
The Knights started the second half with the same energy they began the game with. In the 48th minute, Liz Raucci fired a shot that was ticketed for the left corner of the cage.
Kirsten Nelson, who came on for the second half, dove to her right and the save. In the 84th minute, Nelson made a stop on a knuckling attempt off the foot of Lindsey Matthews.
Julia Keogh had a pair of chances in the second half for William Smith. In the 58th minute, she just missed connecting on a crossing pass from
Emma Faso. In the 85th minute, Keogh had a left-footed shot smothered by Collins.
William Smith finished the game with a 14-8 edge in shots and a 7-3 advantage in corner kicks.
Amanda Kesler started in goal and made two saves in the first half.
Kirsten Nelson came on in relief and made three saves in the second half. Collins played all 90 minutes in goal for Geneseo, making six saves.
In addition to the play of Kesler and Nelson, William Smith had strong play from
Ava Brazie,
Marissa Mastracco,
Ireland Krawczyk and
Katrine Berg, who all played 85 plus minutes on the defensive line.
The Herons will be back in action on Wednesday, Sept. 22, when they travel to RIT. The Liberty League opener for both teams is scheduled to start at 4 p.m. at Tiger Stadium.
