SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—The 12th-ranked William Smith soccer team defeated Union 2-0 in a Liberty League contest at College Park Field this afternoon. With their eighth straight win, the Herons clinched the conference's regular season title.
Junior
Grace Metzler and first-year
Grace Sudbay had the goals for William Smith. Senior
Antonia Goerke played all 90 minutes in goal and made three saves as she earned her second consecutive shutout.
Maya Koster played all 90 minutes in goal for the Garnet Chargers. She made three saves.
FOR THE RECORD
- The Herons improved to 12-3-0 on the season with an 8-0-0 record in Liberty League play.
- William Smith won the league's regular season title for the 22nd time and the first since 2023.
- Union falls to 6-4-6 with a 4-1-3 mark in conference play.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Herons finished the game with a 13-6 advantage in shots, including a 5-3 edge in shots on goal.
- William Smith had six corner kicks in the game, and the Garnet Chargers had two.
SCORING SUMMARY
- Metzler opened the scoring in the 37th minute. On a free kick, she collected a pass on the right goalpost and chipped a shot past the Union goalie. Senior Izzy Thors was credited with the assist after serving a crossing pass into the box. With the goal, Metzler has now recorded a point in seven straight games.
- Sudbay gave William Smith a 2-0 lead in the 59th minute. She collected a pass from senior Miranda DeMura and fired a shot from 30 yards out over the hands of the goalie and into the back of the net. It was her fourth goal of the year.
NEAR MISSES
- In the 74th minute, Lily Pryzwansky nearly gave the Herons a 3-0 lead, but her shot was smothered by Koster.
- Goerke's biggest stop of the game came in the 84th minute. She dove to her right to stop a shot from Hannah Sams.
- In the 89th minute, Koster made a diving stop on a shot from DeMura.
COACH'S CORNER
"It was a great performance to get the win and lock in the regular season championship against a strong defensive team," Head Coach
Laura Burnett-Kurie '08 said. "We are proud of the group for the focus and purpose they played with. We moved the ball well, especially in the second half, and handled the direct attack very well as a defensive unit. Earning the No. 1 spot and home field advantage is a great accomplishment, yet we are ready to battle next Saturday to finish out the regular season."
UP NEXT
William Smith will conclude its regular season next Saturday, Oct. 31, when it welcomes RPI to Cozzens Field. The game is set to begin at 2 p.m.
