The ninth-ranked William Smith lacrosse team soared to an 18-10 win over sixth-ranked Gettysburg on a rain-soaked Smith Field on the campus of Wesleyan University this afternoon. With the win, the Herons return to the quarterfinals for the second straight year.
William Smith will be back in action tomorrow, May 19, at 1 p.m., when they take on 13th-ranked Colby. The Mules upset second-ranked Wesleyan 7-5 in today’s other regional semifinal.
William Smith (19-3) was led by senior Maddie Montgomery, who had six points on four goals and two assists. She also had three caused turnovers. Sophomore Natalie Daniels had five points on four goals and one assist and matched her own Heron single-game record with 13 draw controls. Senior Molly Davis also had a hat trick. Davis and fellow senior Kate Risley had two caused turnovers. First-year Janey Sypeck, Risley and junior Nikki Pio had two ground balls each. Junior Maura Smeader played all 60 minutes in goal and made seven saves.
Gettysburg, who rounded out their season with a 17-4 overall record, was led by Emily Crane’s four goals and five draw controls. Julia Daly also had a hat trick. Gill Cortese and Juliette Devarenne split time in goal. They combined for four saves.
KEY STATS
- The Herons finished the game with a 24-20 edge in shots and a 17-14 advantage in the draw circle. The Bullets had a 12-9 advantage in ground balls.
- William Smith was 20-for-23 clearing the ball and Gettysburg was 17-for-18.
STREAKING
- With three points today, senior Allie McGinty extended her points streak to 65 games.
MILESTONE
- With four goals today, Daniels became just the third Heron to record 70 goals in a season. She joins Montgomery, who has done it three times, and Heather Dwinell ’90.
- Along with matching her own single-game draw control record, Daniels set the William Smith single-season record with 110.
SCORING SUMMARY
- Gettysburg opened the scoring on a goal from Julie Breeveld. It was unassisted.
- The Herons scored the next five goals to take a 5-1 lead after 15 minutes. Daniels started the run, firing home a free position shot for her 68th goal of the year. Davis buried a free position shot for her 30th goal of the year to give William Smith the lead. After winning the ensuing draw, Daniels collected a pass from sophomore Delaney Cassidy and buried her 69th tally of the season. Montgomery and Davis tacked on goals 13 seconds apart to make it a four-goal game.
- Gettysburg opened the second quarter when Emily Crane scored a woman-down goal.
- One minute later, Davis scored her second goal of the game to make it 6-2. Senior Emily Griffin tacked on a free position goal to make it 7-2.
- The teams traded goals in the middle portion of the frame with Crane and Julia Daly scoring for Gettysburg and sophomore Taryn Luzi and junior Katherine Murrayregistering goals for the Herons.
- McGinty and Daniels rounded out the first half with goals 60 seconds apart to give William Smith an 11-4 advantage at the half.
- Fifty-nine seconds into the third quarter Griffin scored on a free position attempt, to make it 12-4. Five minutes into the frame, Murray added her second goal of the game.
- Crane added a free position goal with 8:09 remaining in the half to make it an eight-goal game.
- Daniels and Montgomery rounded out the third quarter with goals in the final five minutes of the frame to make it 15-5.
- Crane completed her hat trick just over two minutes into the fourth quarter.
- With 11:01 remaining in regulation McGinty scored to make it 16-6.
- Gettysburg scored two quick goals to make it 16-8 with 8:30 left in regulation. Montgomery completed her hat trick with 5:42 left in the game.
- One minute later, Jordan Basso scored her first goal of the game. The Bullets leading scorer finished the game with a goal and two assists. Twenty seconds later, Daly completed her hat trick. To make it 17-10.
- Montgomery rounded out the scoring with her team-leading 77th goal of the year.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].