GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith field hockey team's comeback fell just short as it lost to Ohio Wesleyan 3-2 in overtime this morning. With the loss, the Herons fall to 2-2 on the season, while the Battling Bishops improve to 4-1 overall.
The 2026 William Smith Classic opened up with a thrilling battle between William Smith and Ohio Wesleyan. The Herons held a 13-12 advantage in shot in the non-conference battle, while both sides landed eight shots on target. William Smith also held a 7-5 advantage in penalty corners, while the Battling Bishops combined for six saves compared to the Herons' five.
Senior Leah Griffith led William Smith with three points on one goal and one assist in the loss, while first-year Abigail Mantione added two points on one goal. Junior Caroline Kogut added one point on one assist. Mantione and junior Mia Batchelder led the team with three shots each, landing all three on target, while Kogut and junior Eliza Freeland added two shots each for the Herons.
Sophomore Olivia Terranova and first-year Ryan Marsh split time in goal for William Smith and combined for five saves in the loss. Terranova got the start in goal, making three saves in the first half before Marsh came in for the final 34:08, making two stops.
MATCH MOMENTS:
- The opening quarter saw the Herons and the Battling Bishops trade momentum and possession of the ball. William Smith held a 5-3 edge in shots, but Ohio Wesleyan made one count just three minutes in as Mary Powers slotted a shot past Terranova to take the early 1-0 lead. Susie Benincasa was credited with the assist.
- The Battling Bishops continued to put on the pressure in the second quarter, firing off five shots and doubling their lead off Powers' second goal of the contest. Ohio Wesleyan would close out the opening half up 2-0 thanks to Powers' first half brace.
- The Herons came out strong to open the second half. They found an early spark after being awarded a penalty corner in the 33rd minute. Griffith inserted the ball to Kogut who dished off a pass to junior Mia Bolster at the top of the arc. Bolster fired off a shot that was deflected across goal from Griffith and found a waiting Mantione at the back post, who tapped it in for her second collegiate goal.
- William Smith continued applying the pressure and fired off three more shots in the third quarter but Payton Mindel stayed locked in defensively and kept the Herons off the board heading into the fourth quarter.
- The Herons opened the fourth quarter with intensity and continued to put pressure on the Battling Bishops. William Smith held a 3-1 advantage in shots and a 2-0 advantage in penalty corners in the final quarter.
- With under three minutes left in regulation, William Smith used a video referral to earn a penalty corner. Once again, the Herons used the corner to their advantage as Griffith tallied her second goal of the season. Griffith inserted the ball to Kogut, who fired off a shot from the top of the arc. Griffith deflected the shot past Mindel to tie the game at 2-2 and send the non-conference battle to overtime.
- Ohio Wesleyan opened the overtime period with pressure, earning two early penalty corners and firing off three shots. The Battling Bishops' third shot was the one that mattered. Mattison Hyland slotted a shot across net. The ball took a deflection and beat Marsh to end the game in favor of the visitors. Hyland was credited with the game-winner.
UP NEXT:
William Smith will be back in action tomorrow as it concludes the William Smith Classic against Lebanon Valley. Action between the Herons and the Flying Dutchmen is set for 2 p.m. on McCooey Field.
