The William Smith field hockey team will be back in action this Saturday, Oct. 14, when it hosts Ithaca for a crucial Liberty League contest on McCooey Field.

Prior to Saturday's game against the Bombers, the Herons will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 2000 National Championship team with a brief ceremony during the coin toss. Free rally towels will be given away at the game courtesy of Hobart and William Smith Athletics.

Fans who can't make it to McCooey Field this Friday can follow all the action with HWS All-Access Video and Live Stats.

ABOUT THE HERONS:

• William Smith enters the weekend with a 9-7 overall record and a 3-2 mark in conference play after defeating Houghton, RPI and Vassar last week.
• Senior Lily Gutch was named the NFHCA National Offensive Performer of the Week as well as the Liberty League Offensive Performer of the Week after recording 12 points on six goals, including two game winners last week. First-year Olivia Terranova was named the Liberty League Rookie of the Week after going 3-0 in goal for the Herons.
• Graduate student Rebecca Mantione leads William Smith with 19 points on seven goals and five assists. Gutch follows closely behind with 18 points (8G, 2A), while sophomore Caroline Kogut adds 14 points (5G, 4A).
• Defensively, William Smith is led by sophomore Hadley Harbert with three defensive saves. Junior Leah Griffith adds two defensive saves for the Herons.
• Terranova and sophomore Baker Jeremiah have split the minutes in goal for William Smith this season. Terranova is 6-5 with a 1.98 GAA and a .716 save percentage, while Jeremiah is 3-2 with a 3.15 GAA and a .627 save percentage.

ABOUT THE BOMBERS:

• Ithaca brings a 10-5 overall record to Geneva and is 3-3 in Liberty League play. The Bombers are coming off a 2-1 loss to Skidmore on Sunday.
• Audrey McMahon leads the team with 14 points on six goals and two assists this season. Brenna Schoenfeld follows with 12 points (4G, 4A), while Payton Yahner adds 10 (2G, 6A).
• Reese Abrahamson has tallied the Bombers lone defensive save of the season.
• Maeve Clark has played a majority of the minutes in goal for Ithaca. She is 9-5 with a 0.84 GAA and a .820 save percentage.

SERIES HISTORY:

• Saturday will be the 50th meeting between the Herons and the Bombers. William Smith holds a 34-15 advantage in the series and has won four straight against Ithaca.
• The Herons are 16-6 against the Bombers in Geneva.
• Last season on Oct. 5, 2024, William Smith rallied to defeat Ithaca 2-1 in Ithaca. Sophomore Mia Batchelder scored to spark the comeback for the Herons. Jeremiah matched her career-high with eight saves in the win.