GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith will join athletic departments across the nation to celebrate the annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The Herons will host NGWSD activities in conjunction with the William Smith hockey game against Plattsburgh at 4 p.m. Feb. 7 at The Cooler.
 
In addition, Saturday's game will serve as senior day for the Herons. The Class of 2026 - Allie Cimis, Seneca Urban, Kelly Howe, and Fiona Gallagher – will be honored during a pregame ceremony.  
 
NGWSD began as a day to remember Olympic volleyball player Flo Hyman for her athletic achievements and her work to assure equality for women's sports. Since Hyman's death from Marfan's Syndrome while competing in a volleyball tournament in Japan in 1986, NGWSD has evolved into a day to not only acknowledge the past, but also recognize the current sports achievements as well as the positive influence of sports participation and continuing struggle for equality and access for women in sports.
 
This year will be the 39th annual NGWSD. William Smith's annual celebration has hosted hundreds of girls and women in a celebration of female athletes.
 
Admission to Saturday's game is free courtesy of HWS Athletics. Following the game, girls in the eighth grade and younger will be invited to meet the Herons for an autograph session.
 
William Smith will also host Potsdam on Friday, Feb. 6 at 3 p.m. The Macarollin' food truck will be outside The Cooler from 4:30-8 p.m. HWS students, faculty and staff with a valid OneCard will get one free entrée courtesy of HWS Athletics. Friday will also be William Smith's spirit game sponsored by HWS Student Engagement. The first 30 students to present their OneCard will receive a free t-shirt.
 
FAST FACTS

• The Herons (9-9-0, 5-2-0) are 5-2-0 in SUNYAC play and are third in the standings with 10 points, but have a game in hand on Plattsburgh and Cortland, who are ahead of them in the standings.
• Sophomore Bella Hacker leads the William Smith offense with 12 points on seven goals and five assists. Senior Kelly Howe is right behind her with nine points on five goals and four assists.
• Junior Mia Iwicki has played the majority of minutes in goal. She has a 2.84 GAA, a .925 save percentage and two shutouts.
• Potsdam (8-9-2, 3-4-1) is fifth in the SUNYAC with seven points.
• Jalynn Castro leads the Bears with 14 points on nine goals and five assists. Rebecca Cain and Jessika Bullock share the team lead with six assists.
• Magalie Parent has played the majority of minutes in goal. She has a 2.09 GAA, a .930 save percentage and three shutouts.
• William Smith is 4-4-2 against the Bears, including a 3-1 win in November in Potsdam.
• Plattsburgh (13-6-0, 7-1-0) sits atop the SUNYAC standings with 14 points.
• Emily Kasprzak leads the Cardinals with 17 points on five goals and 12 assists. Bailey MacKellar has a team-high eight goals.
• Chloe Lewis has played the majority of minutes in goal. She has a 2.02 GAA, a .888 save percentage and three shutouts. 
• The Cardinals have won all seven matchups in the series with the Herons.