GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College Head Soccer Coach Aliceann Wilber and the Heron soccer program recorded their 600th win with a 2-0 victory over Ithaca on Cozzens Field this afternoon.
 
Wilber, now in her 42nd season and the only soccer coach William Smith has ever had, holds a record of 600-139-60. Only one other coach in NCAA women's soccer has reached the 600-win plateau. Wilber joins Anson Dorance (896) of Division I University of North Carolina as the only coaches to hit that milestone. Wilber is the first Division III women's soccer coach to reach that plateau and the first woman in all of NCAA soccer.
 
The Herons are now 7-1-1 overall this season with a 3-0-0 mark in conference play. With today's victory, William Smith extended its unbeaten streak to seven games, including six shutouts. Merilyn Hinrichs and Julia Keogh scored first half goals to propel William Smith to victory.
 
The Herons nearly opened the scoring in the third minute when Sheila McQuillen had a shot from just inside the 18-yard box turned aside by the Ithaca goalkeeper. Keogh had an attempt in the 21st minute smothered by the Bombers goalie. William Smith broke the deadlock on a brilliant strike from Hinrichs. She curled a shot from the right goal post into the upper left corner of the cage. Sheila McQuillen and Julia Berg were credited with assists on the tally after some stellar passing in the midfield. The tally was Hinrichs' third of the season. The Herons doubled their lead in the 43rd minute off the left foot of Keogh. She collected a loose ball near the penalty spot and fired a shot inside the left goal post. Her team leading eighth goal of the season was assisted by Emma Faso.
 
William Smith continued to apply the pressure in the second half but was unable to burry a third goal. Ithaca's goalie Claire Reader made four saves in the second half.
 
Ithaca (6-2-0, 1-1-0) had its best chance of the game in the second half. Off a free kick, Megan O'Reilly fired a shot just over the crossbar. In the closing minutes, the Bombers blocked a clearing attempt that trickled towards the end line but was kicked out for a throw in by Amanda Kesler.
 
Kesler played all 90 minutes in goal for William Smith and made one save as she earned her third straight win. Reader made eight saves in 90 minutes in goal for Ithaca.
 
The Herons defense line of Ireland Krawczyk, Katrine Berg, Ava Brazie and Marissa Mastracco stood tall limiting the Bombers to three shots. William Smith finished the game with a 16-3 edge in shots and an 8-6 advantage in corner kicks.
 
The Herons will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 2, when they take on Bard. The game in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.