CENTER VALLEY, Pa.—William Smith senior
Julia Accioly scored four goals, including three in the second half, as the second-ranked Herons knocked off DeSales 8-1 in their season opener this afternoon. The win was the first for first-year head coach
Laura Burnett-Kurie '08.
In addition to Accioly's four goals, seniors
Ruth Hotaling and
Julia Bragg had two goals each. First-year
Sofia Carney and junior
Izzy Thors had two assists. Junior
Antonia Goerke played 75 minutes in goal and made two saves as she collected her first collegiate win. First-year
Sevilla Anderson played the final 15 minutes in her collegiate debut.
Emily Mulroony scored for the Bulldogs. Saige Santa Cruz started in goal and made three saves. Campbell Pacheco came on in relief and made one save.
KEY STATS
- William Smith finished the game with a 20-6 advantage in shots.
- This was the third time in the last four years that the Herons have scored eight goals in their season opener.
MATCH SUMMARY
- Hotaling opened the scoring in the 11th minute. She collected a pass from Charlotte Brown, beat a defender and fired a left-footed shot past the goalie.
- Three minutes later, Accioly gave William Smith a 2-0 lead. She picked up a rebound in the 18-yard box and buried the loose ball in the back of the net. The goal was assisted by senior Anna Nichols.
- Mulroony broke up the shutout bid in the 34th minute. Rebecca Bury assisted her goal.
- Bragg gave William Smith a 3-1 lead in the 42nd minute. Carney carried the ball down the left wing and chipped a shot off the crossbar. Bragg, who was crashing the net, redirected the shot across the goal line.
- Just over a minute later, Hotaling notched her second goal of the game. She blasted a shot from the top of the 18-yard box into the upper left corner of the cage. Carney was awarded an assist on the goal.
- After the halftime break, Accioly broke the game open, scoring the game's next three goals. In the 48th and 55th minutes, she headed home crossing passes from Thors. Accioly also had an unassisted goal during the run.
- Bragg rounded out the scoring in the 73rd minute. Her second goal of the game was assisted by sophomore Analise Pilarski.
COACH'S CORNER
"Today was a strong overall effort, and we are proud of our performance," Burnett-Kurie said. "Credit to the team coming out so strong and maintaining our focus for a full 90 minutes. At times, DeSales put us under pressure; however, we worked together to problem-solve. Attacking-wise, we created a plethora of opportunities in a range of ways, which was exciting to see in the first game. Overall, we showed our depth, celebrated each other, and grew throughout the game. We know we can't take our foot off the pedal and are excited to get back to work tomorrow. We are excited to get to the next level."
UP NEXT
William Smith will open the home portion of its schedule on Sunday, August 31, when it welcomes SUNY New Paltz to Cozzens Field. The game is scheduled to begin at noon.