GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College field hockey team scored a pair of goals in the final five minutes of the game to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat on McCooey Field this afternoon. The Herons rallied for a 3-2 conference victory over visiting Union College.
Rebecca Mantione's goal with 93 seconds remaining capped the comeback and moved the Herons into a three-way tie for first place in the Liberty League with one conference game remaining.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In the sixth minute, the Dutchwomen's Emily Dawson lofted a reverse hit over Heron goalie Kristen McCormick for an early lead.
- William Smith equalized in the 13th minute when Emily Leonard fired home a penalty stroke for her team-leading 13th goal of the season.
- The Herons dominated the second quarter, outshooting Union 4-0, but goalie Sophie Brady made four of her nine stops on the day to keep the game tied going into halftime.
- Late in the third quarter, Union earned a penalty corner. Suzanna Wright ripped a shot from the top of the circle and Dawson redirected it past McCormick for her 15th goal of the season and a 2-1 lead.
- Sofia Pattillo kicked off the comeback with her 10th goal of the year with just 4:37 remaining, batting home a bouncing ball in front.
- Three minutes later, Heron Lily Gutch caused a Union turnover deep in Dutchwomen territory and got the ball to Mantione. She wove her way around at least three defenders before firing a shot inside the near post to give William Smith its only lead of the contest.
- The Herons prevented Union from getting off a potential game-tying shot down the stretch.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- William Smith enjoyed a 17-6 advantage in shots and had an 11-3 edge in penalty corners.
- McCormick made four saves to improve to 10-1 on the season.
FOR THE RECORD
- The loss drops Union to 10-4 overall, 2-4 in Liberty League play.
- The win improves William Smith mark to 13-2, 5-1 in conference.
- The Herons improved to 34-4-1 all-time against the Dutchwomen and ended a two-game slide against Union.
PLAYOFF PICTURE
- The University of Rochester handed Ithaca College its first conference loss of the year, defeating the Bombers 1-0 in double overtime. That result coupled with the Herons' win created a three-way tie at the top of the standings between William Smith, Rochester and Ithaca.
- The conference regular season schedule ends Sunday. The Herons visit the Bombers at 1 p.m., while the Dutchwomen will host the Yellowjackets at 2 p.m.