UTICA, N.Y.—The William Smith hockey team scored four unanswered goals as it rallied to defeat Utica 4-2 in its season opener at Utica University's Nexus Center this afternoon.
Sophomore
Finley Crosby led the way for the Herons, recording a goal and an assist. Junior
Ainsley Lonczak, sophomore
Sara Comiskey and first-year
Talia Mertens also scored for William Smith. Senior
Mia Iwicki started in goal and made 16 saves as she earned the victory.
Kyler Weatherred and Meghan Goldie had the goals for Utica. Katherine Sheahan got the start and made 22 saves in just over 50 minutes of work. Yael Fatiev played the final 10 minutes and made two saves.
FOR OPENERS
- Now in its 12th season, William Smith is 8-3-1 all-time in season openers.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- The Herons finished the game with a 28-18 advantage in shots on goal.
- William Smith was 0-for-3 on the power play and Utica was 1-for-1 with the extra attacker.
SCORING SUMMARY
- Utica opened the scoring at the 14:14 mark of the first period on a power-play goal. Goldie redirected a shot from the point past Iwicki for her first goal of the season. Julia Chedel and Kiernan Ledoux were credited with assists on the tally.
- The Pioneers took a 2-0 lead 90 seconds into the second period. Weatherred collected and wristed a shot from the slot into the back of the net. Maya Jerome and Penny Saich had assists on the goal.
- William Smith started the comeback at the 13:40 mark of the second period. Mertens broke into the offensive zone and snapped a shot past the Utica goalie. Her first collegiate goal was assisted by junior Bella Hacker and sophomore Lilly Relyea.
- Just under two minutes later, Comiskey tied the game. She snuck a shot from just in front of the cage across the goal line. Her goal was assisted by junior Natalie May. It was Comiskey's first collegiate goal.
- Crosby gave the Herons their first lead of the game just over 10 minutes into the final frame. She picked up a loose puck at the top of the left faceoff circle and wired a shot past Sheahan. Anna Tardiff and Caeley McCormick had assists on the goal.
- Lonczak sealed the game with an empty-net goal with 17 seconds remaining in regulation. Her tally was assisted by senior Tara Valas and Crosby.
COMEBACK
- Tonight's victory was the first time William Smith overcame a two-goal deficit to win since Feb. 6, 2016, On that day, William Smith erased a 3-1 deficit on its way to beating Oswego 5-4 in OT.
COACH'S CORNER
"It's always great to get a win in your first game," Head Coach
Matt Cunningham said. "Beyond that, we're thrilled with the grit and resilience our group showed in battling back after going down 2-0."
UP NEXT
William Smith and Utica will wrap up the season series tomorrow, Oct. 31, when the teams meet at The Cooler. Opening faceoff is set for 4 p.m.
