The 10th-ranked William Smith lacrosse team will return home on Saturday, April 19, when it hosts Rochester. The Liberty League contest is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Boswell Field at David J Urick Stadium. Saturday's game will be dedicated to the One Love Foundation and Morgan's Message.
William Smith enters the weekend with a 10-3 overall record and is 7-0 in league play. The Herons have won five straight games, including a 12-10 win over RIT on Wednesday. Senior
Katherine Murray led the Herons with seven points on six goals and an assist.
The Yellowjackets are 4-10 with a 1-6 mark in Liberty League play. Rochester is looking to snap a five-game losing streak.
MEDIA COVERAGE
ABOUT THE HERONS
- Murray leads William Smith with 38 goals and 52 points.
- Junior Natalie Daniels is second on the team with 28 goals. She also leads the Herons with 98 draw controls. Daniels is fourth in the nation, averaging 9.8 draws per game.
- Senior Nikki Pio leads the Herons' defense with 23 caused turnovers.
- Senior Maura Smeader has played every minute in goal. She has a .528 save percentage and a 7.08 GAA. Smeader is 16th in the nation in GAA and 17th in save percentage.
- As a team, William Smith is ranked eighth in the nation in draw control percentage (.642) and clearing percentage (.885). In addition, the Herons are 10th in turnovers per game (13.00), 13th in save percentage (.528) and 21st in scoring defense (7.08).
ABOUT THE YELLOWJACKETS
- Alyssa Gorny leads the team with 43 goals, 12 assists and 55 points. She also has a team-high 64 draw controls.
- Gracie Giannettino is right behind her with 42 points on 32 goals and 10 assists.
- Campbell Sy leads the team with 21 caused turnovers and 28 ground balls.
- Isla Ablin has played every minute in goal. She has an 11.86 GAA and a .498 save percentage.
SERIES HISTORY
- Saturday's game will be the 50th meeting between William Smith and Rochester.
- The Herons lead the all-time series 46-3, including a 24-1 advantage in Geneva.
- Last year, the Herons cruised to a 21-8 victory at Fauver Stadium. Natalie Daniels, Molly Davis '24 and Maddie Montgomery '24 had five goals each in the win.
ONE LOVE FOUNDATION
- Founded in honor of Yeardley Love, a former University of Virginia lacrosse player. One Love is a national non-profit that provides prevention education to young people about the importance of healthy relationships, empowering them to identify and avoid abuse.
- The Herons also hosted a One Love game in 2023 and Mekala Montgomery '21 was a finalist for the Yeardley Reyolds Love Unsung Hero Award in 2020.
- To learn more about the One Love Foundation, click here. There will also be a table set up at the game providing more information.
MORGAN'S MESSAGE
- Morgan's Message strives to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health within the student-athlete community and equalize the treatment of physical and mental health in athletes. They aim to expand the dialogue on mental health by normalizing conversations, empowering those who suffer in silence, and supporting those who feel alone. It honors the life and legacy of former Duke lacrosse player Morgan Rodgers.
- HWS ambassadors and club leaders will be on site selling Morgan's Message t-shirts customized in HWS colors with profits going to the organization. They will also have wristbands and stickers that will be available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- To learn more about Morgan's Message, click here.
