GENEVA, N.Y.— The Skidmore College field hockey team scored in the 50th minute to edge William Smith 1-0 this afternoon in a Liberty League contest on McCooey Field. The Herons fall to 5-9 overall with a 1-3 mark in conference play, while the Thoroughbreds move to 8-7 overall and 2-2 in the Liberty League.
William Smith put on a dominant performance despite the final result. The Herons held a 17-6 advantage in shots, landing 11 on target compared to the Thoroughbred's four. William Smith also held a 9-2 edge in penalty corners, including a 4-0 advantage in the second half.
Junior Abby Jones led the Herons with four shots this afternoon, landing three on target. She was followed by first-year's Mia Batchelder, Caroline Kogut and sophomore Leah Griffith with three each. Senior Hannah Huston and first-year Ana Dios Vidal put on an impressive performance this afternoon, locking down the midfield for the Herons and combining for two shots.
First-year Baker Jeremiah played 58:16 in goal for William Smith and made three saves in the loss. She is now 5-9 on the season
MATCH MOMENTS:
- William Smith dominated the possession in the first half, finding most of the action in its attacking third. The Herons tallied nine shots in the opening half, landing three on target thanks to a 5-2 advantage in penalty corners.
- The Herons nearly opened the scoring in the 16th minute after being awarded a penalty corner. Kogut fired off a shot that Batchelder deflected but Victoria Bodnar was there to stop the shot. Bodnar made three first half saves to keep the game scoreless heading into halftime.
- William Smith continued to apply pressure to start the second half and nearly found the breakthrough as Jones found herself one-on-one with the goalie off a counterattack. Bodnar stood tall and made the save to keep the clean sheet.
- Skidmore found all the offense it needed in the 50th minute as CC Wetter batted a shot over the head of Jeremiah after a scramble in front of goal. Ella Costa was credited with the assist.
- The Herons tried to respond in the 58th minute as William Smith was awarded a penalty corner with a two-woman advantage. Kogut fired off a shot from the top of the arc, but Bodnar denied it for her 11th save of the day to give the Thoroughbreds the win.
UP NEXT:
William Smith will be back in action Sunday, Oct. 18, when it travels to the North Country to take on St. Lawrence in a Liberty League contest. Action between the Herons and the Saints is set to begin at 2 p.m. at the North Country Field at Hall-Leet Stadium.