GENEVA, N.Y.—Sophomore Ana Dios Vidal scored just short of three minutes into the second overtime to give the William Smith field hockey team a dramatic 1-0 Liberty League win over Rochester tonight. With the win, the Herons clinched the No. 4 seed in the five-team Liberty League Tournament.
 

"What a great win against a tough Rochester team. We possessed the ball really well and created a lot of quality opportunities, but their goalkeeper made some incredible saves to keep it close. I'm proud of our composure and persistence through double overtime. Ana's game winner was a great finish and a well-earned moment for this group to secure our spot in the Liberty League Tournament." — William Smith Head Coach Sophie Riskie '07

 
The decisive play started with a Rochester turnover near midfield. Dios Vidal restarted play on the sideline and slid a pass ahead to Mia Batchelder who passed it back to Dios Vidal on a perfect give-and-go. Dios Vidal dribbled past a pair of Yellowjacket defenders to break into the circle with only goalie Kara Houston to beat. As Dios Vidal approached the goal, Houston slid out to block a low shot and Dios Vidal lifted her shot over the stacked pads for her fourth goal of the season.
 
As it turned out, William Smith had to win to get into the Liberty League Tournament. In the league's other match tonight, Vassar defeated RPI 1-0, meaning the Herons only path to the postseason was with a victory. Rochester, which had already clinched a playoff berth, could have finished as high as the No. 2 seed or as low as the No. 5 seed. The Yellowjackets landed at No. 5 and will face the Herons again in the first round on Tuesday, Nov. 4 back on McCooey Field.
 
THE BASICS

• William Smith improved to 10-8 overall, 4-3 in the Liberty League.
• Rochester slipped to 13-6, 4-3
• Shots: William Smith 19, Rochester 4
• Penalty Corners: William Smith 9, Rochester 2

Houston and the UR back line stood tall against relentless pressure from the Herons. The senior goalie finished the match with 10 saves, including four in the first quarter and three in the first overtime period.
 
William Smith first-year goalie Olivia Terranova made four saves to secure her second shutout of the season.
 
The Herons will wrap up the regular season at Oswego State on Saturday, Nov. 1. The non-conference match is scheduled to being at noon.