The William Smith College field hockey team fell to No. 1 Middlebury College in the second round of the 2023 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championships this afternoon on Anderson Field on the campus of Messiah University. The Herons conclude their season at 14-8 while the Panthers move to 19-0 and advance to the third round against the winner of No. 13 SUNY Cortland and No. 5 Messiah.
The reigning national champions held a 33-1 advantage in shots over the Herons including an 18-0 edge in shots on target. Middlebury earned all 20 of the games penalty corners and were awarded two penalty strokes, converting on one of the two.
Senior Kristen McCormick played 45 minutes in goal for William Smith with senior Brittany Foster playing the final quarter. McCormick recorded eight saves and finished the season at 11-5. Foster made one save in the final 15 minutes.
MATCH MOMENTS:
- Middlebury opened the scoring in the 11th minute as Amy Griffin scored her first goal of the day off of a penalty corner.
- The Herons withstood the Panthers pressure for most of the first quarter as Middlebury fired off seven shots and earned four penalty corners. Senior Cora Nagle earned her first defensive save of the season in the 14th minute to keep the score at 1-0.
- In the 19th minute Middlebury was awarded a penalty stroke after a foul by a Heron defender. Lilly Branka’s attempt sailed wide left of the cage.
- The Panthers doubled their lead at the 21:24 mark as Katie George slotted a shot past McCormick. Griffin was credited with the assist.
- Middlebury added two more goals in the final 10 minutes of the half Hannah Medwar and Griffin tallied the goals for the Panthers.
- 1:33 into the second half the Panthers were awarded their second stroke opportunity of the contest. This time, Audrey Lazar would deliver for Middlebury to make the score 5-0.
- Three minutes later George fired off a shot that slipped past McCormick for her second of the game.
- Graduate student Kate Barilla recorded her team-leading eighth defensive save of the season off a Medwar shot in the 55th minute.
- Grace Keefe closed out the scoring for the Panthers in the 56th minute to give Middlebury a 7-0 lead.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].