Two different Herons scored as the fourth-ranked William Smith College soccer team defeated Union College 2-0 in a Liberty League contest on a rainy afternoon on Cozzens Field. With their fourth straight shutout, the Herons are now 8-0-3 overall this season with a 4-0-2 mark in conference play. The Garnet Chargers fall to 6-5-2 overall and 2-3-1 in the Liberty League.
Seniors Seneca Blakely-Armitage and Ava Ruppersberger tallied a goal each for the second consecutive game while Ruppersberger led the Herons with five shots in the contest. Blakely-Armitage was credited with the game-winning-goal. Senior Kirsten Nelson played all 90 minutes in goal for William Smith, recording a career-high eight saves.
Rachel Berliner played 90 minutes in net for Union and recorded a game-high nine saves.
SCORING SUMMARY
- William Smith opened the scoring just 3:26 into the game after being awarded a corner. Ruppersberger collected the ball at the top of the box and fired off a shot that was blocked by a Garnet Charger defender. The deflection fell perfectly to the feet of Blakely-Armitage who placed the ball to the far corner past the Union goalie.
- Ruppersberger added an insurance goal in the 52nd minute after collecting a long cross to switch the field. Ruppersberger cut the ball back on her left foot and sent a curling ball into the far post for her fourth goal of the season.
CLOSE CHANCES
- Union’s best chance of the first half came in the 19th minute as Alayna Boileau collected the ball and fired off a shot to the top right corner of the goal. Nelson came up big with a diving save to tip the ball over the net for a Garnet Charger’s corner.
- Union almost capitalized on the following corner as Anne Pearl redirected the ball with her head to the upper corner again. Nelson was up for the challenge yet again, collecting another big save.
- Junior Marissa Mastracco had a golden opportunity to score at the 39:20 mark in the first half. William Smith earned a corner and found the head of a diving Mastracco. The header was redirected just high of the target, landing on top of the goal frame.
KEY STATS
- William Smith ended the game with a 25-10 advantage in shots, landing 11 shots on target compared to Union’s eight.
- The Herons held a 9-4 edge in corner kicks in the contest.
- William Smith is now on a four-game win streak in conference play, allowing zero goals through 360 minutes of play.
- It was the Herons’ 19th straight victory over Union.
UP NEXT
William Smith will be back on Cozzens Field Wednesday, Oct. 18, when it welcomes Nazareth College for a nonconference matchup. Action between the Herons and the Golden Flyers is set for 4 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].