The fifth-ranked William Smith College soccer team cruised to a 5-0 victory over Bard in a Liberty League contest on Cozzens Field this afternoon. Nwabisa Qoba scored twice as the Herons improved to 6-1-2 overall this season with a 3-0-1 mark in conference play.
Qoba finished the contest with a career-high five points on two goals and an assist. Kirsten Nelson and Amanda Kesler each played 45 minutes in goal as William Smith collected its sixth shutout of the season. Seymone Rosenberg played all 45 minutes in the Raptor goal, making a career-high 13 saves.
KEY STATS:
- William Smith finished the contest with a 31-1 edge in shots and a 9-1 edge in corner kicks.
- Today’s game was the Herons’ ninth shutout in 10 meetings with the Raptors.
FIRST HALF:
- Ava Ruppersberger opened the scoring in the ninth minute with her team-leading fifth goal of the season. She intercepted a clear attempt and slipped a shot into the lower left corner of the cage.
- Qoba gave William Smith a 2-0 lead in the 37th minute. While falling to the ground, she chipped a shot past the diving Rosenberg. Qoba’s first collegiate goal was assisted by Ireland Krawczyk.
SECOND HALF:
- The Herons continued to apply pressure in the second half, but Rosenberg was up to the task, making six saves in the first 25 minutes of the half.
- William Smith finally broke the game open with three goals in four minutes. Ella Reish started the flurry. She beat a pair of defenders and buried a shot in the left corner of the cage.
- Eighteen seconds later, Qoba added a second goal, chipping a shot over the goalie’s outstretched hands. Maggie Speckhart was credited with an assist on the goal.
- Moira van der Putt rounded out the scoring with her second goal of the year. Her shot deflected off the goalie’s hands and into the back of the net. Qoba earned the assist on the goal.
COACH’S CORNER:
“It’s great to be home and play in front of our families and fans and feel loved,” Head Coach Aliceann Wilber said. “Bard came ready to play so kudos to them. I think when they fatigued, we made good use of our depth with four of the five goals coming from the bench. I’m especially happy for Ella and Nwabisa to get their first goals of the season.”
UP NEXT:
William Smith will be right back on Cozzens Field tomorrow afternoon, Oct. 4, when they take on Penn State Behrend. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].