Two members of the William Smith lacrosse team were recognized by the Liberty League office this week. Junior Janey Sypeck was tabbed the league's Defensive Performer of the Week and junior Grace Rund was named to the weekly honor roll.  
 
Following a 10-5 win over then No. 6 Washington and Lee on Saturday, the Herons (15-2) jumped up two spots to No. 5 in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association Poll and moved up two spots to No. 6 in the USA Lacrosse Magazine Poll. William Smith moved up to No. 7 in this week's NCAA Power Index, the formula used to select at-large bids for the NCAA tournament.
 
Sypeck guided a Heron defense that limited the Generals to a season-low five goals and 15 shots in Saturday's win. Washington and Lee entered the game averaging 15.13 goals per game. Sypeck had a game-high four caused turnovers, including three in the first quarter, while the Herons kept the Generals off the scoreboard. She also had three ground balls. This was the seventh time this season Sypeck has had four or more caused turnovers in a game.
 
Sypeck has started all 15 games she's played in this season. She leads the team with 40 caused turnovers and 37 ground balls. Sypeck is sixth on William Smith's single-season caused turnovers list. This is the fourth time this season Sypeck has been named the defensive performer of the week and the seventh time in the last eight weeks a Heron has won the award.
 
Rund had a solid day on both ends of the field. She scored three goals, a game-high five draw controls, a caused turnover. Her second goal of the game was the game-winning goal. Rund has played in all 17 games this season. She leads the Herons with 94 draw controls and is tied for the team lead with 32 goals.
 
William Smith enters the Liberty League tournament first in the nation in clearing percentage (.932), second in turnovers per game (11.76), sixth in winning percentage (.882), eighth in draw control percentage (0.649), 20th in scoring defense (6.76) and 22nd in draw controls per game (15.00).
 
The Herons will be back in action on Friday, May 1, when they host a Liberty League semifinal at Urick Stadium at 4 p.m. William Smith will take on the winner of Tuesday's first round game between Rochester and St. Lawrence.