POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y.— Senior Lily Gutch scored twice as the William Smith field hockey team extended its win streak to three-straight with a 2-1 win over conference foe, Vassar, this afternoon. With the crucial conference victory, the Herons improve to 9-7 overall and 3-2 in conference play, while the Brewers fall to 8-6 overall with a 3-2 mark in the Liberty League.
 
The thrilling conference matchup saw impressive performances by both sides this afternoon. Vassar held a 13-9 advantage in shots, while William Smith held a 7-5 edge in shots on target. The Brewers earned 10 penalty corners to the Herons' five and held a 5-4 advantage in saves over William Smith.
 
Gutch continued to shine for the Herons, scoring both of William Smith's goals in the win. It was her third straight game with a goal, bringing her season total to 18 points on eight goals and two assists. Sophomore Caroline Kogut was credited with the assist on the game-winning goal. Classmate Mia Batchelder fired off a team-high three shots, landing them all on target, while Gutch and senior Abby Jones added two shots each in the win.
 
First-year Olivia Terranova played all 60 minutes in goal for the Herons and made four saves in the win. With the win, Terranova improves to 6-5 on the season.

MATCH MOMENTS:

• William Smith came out hot to open the crucial conference contest, opening the scoring just one minute into the game. After a scrum in front of the net, a Vassar clear attempt was intercepted by Gutch right in front of the goal. She collected the ball and fired off a shot into the back of the net to give the Herons an early lead.
• The Brewers responded just under five minutes later after being awarded a penalty corner. Sierra Chow inserted the ball to Mackenzie Allen at the top of the arc. Allen wound up and fired a shot that beat Terranova to tie the game at 1-1.
• The Herons nearly scored just a minute later after being awarded a penalty corner of their own. Batchelder found herself in front of net, firing off back-to-back shots that were stopped by the Vassar goalie and a Brewer defender. Gianna Hoover was credited with a defensive save on Batchelder's second shot to keep the game tied at 1-1.
• Seven minutes into the second half, William Smith would grab back the lead as Gutch tallied her second of the day. Gutch inserted the penalty corner to Kogut at the top of the arc, who fired off shot. Her shot fell to the stick of Gutch at the near post who tapped in a shot for her eighth goal of the season.
• Vassar responded with high pressure for the remainder of the game, firing off six shots and earning six penalty corners. Terranova and the William Smith defense stood tall and shut down the Brewers offense until the time expired. With the win, the Herons grabbed a crucial conference victory and improved to 3-2 in conference play on the season.

COACHES CORNER:

"That was a great road win against a very talented Vassar team who had a strong offensive build-up," said Head Coach Sophie Riskie '07. "I'm proud of how we stayed composed and found ways to finish early. Lily had two great goals in big moments and played great on the press. Our whole group battled hard to earn this result."

UP NEXT:

William Smith will be back in action Saturday, Oct. 25, when it hosts Liberty League foe, Ithaca, for another conference battle in Geneva. Action between the Herons and the Bombers is set for 1 p.m. on McCooey Field. William Smith will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 2000 National Championship Team on Saturday against the Bombers.