GENEVA, N.Y.—The seventh-ranked William Smith College soccer team defeated Skidmore 4-0 in a Liberty League contest on Cozzens Field this afternoon. The Herons scored twice in each half to improve to 6-1-1 overall and 2-0-0 in Liberty League play and send the Homecoming and Family Weekend crowd home happy.
William Smith dominated the game from the opening whistle, finishing with a 25-9 advantage in shots. The Herons also earned a 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
Four different players scored a goal for William Smith and eight players found their way onto the scoresheet as the Herons picked up their fifth-straight victory.
Amanda Kesler made a career-high six saves as she earned her second shutout of the season.
Ava Keller played all 90 minutes in goal for Skidmore (3-3-0, 0-1-0) and made seven saves.
William Smith opened the scoring in the 17th minute.
Seneca Blakely-Armitage fired a shot from the top of the 18-yard box into the upper right-hand corner of the goal.
Merilyn Hinrichs was credited with an assist on Blakely-Armitage's fifth goal of the season. Hinrichs initial shot was stopped by Keller. Hinrichs collected her own rebound and passed it to Blakely-Armitage. Twelve minutes later,
Julia Keogh gave William Smith a 2-0 lead on her seventh goal of the season.
Emma Faso was credited with an assist on the tally. Faso intercepted a pass near midfield and hit Keogh with a beautifully timed through ball. Keogh took a couple of steps to her right and blasted a shot with her left foot past Keller.
Skidmore's best chance of the first half came in the 44th minute. Liz Saraceno's shot from the 10-yards out. Kesler dove to her left and made the save.
William Smith extended the lead to 3-0 on
Sheila McQuillen's fourth goal of the season. In the 50th minute, she one-timed a shot from near the penalty spot past Keller.
Katrine Berg was credited with an assist on the goal.
Sarah Gray rounded out the scoring in the 73rd minute. She fired home a shot from just inside the six-yard box.
Ava Ruppersberger notched an assist on the goal.
The Herons will be back in action Wednesday, Sept. 29, when it welcomes Ithaca to Cozzens Field. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
