No. 22 William Smith defeated Union, 2-1, on Saturday at Cozzens Field, clinching a first-round bye in the Liberty League Tournament. The Herons scored once in each half to earn their seventh straight victory and remain in contention for the regular-season title.
Senior Julia Accioly opened the scoring in the 12th minute, collecting her own rebound inside the box and chipping a shot over goalkeeper Rachel Berliner for her sixth goal of the season. Union (8-6-3, 3-3-2 Liberty) answered in the 21st minute when Anabelle Thomas bent a strike into the upper corner off a pass from Alayna Boileau. The Garnet Chargers continued to press, but William Smith goalkeeper Antonia Goerke made several key stops to keep the match level at halftime.
The Herons (11-2-2, 7-1-0 Liberty) regained the lead early in the second half. After a series of corners, junior Miranda DeMura capitalized on a loose ball in front and blasted home her first collegiate goal. Goerke finished with seven saves, including a diving stop in the 67th minute and another in the closing seconds to secure the win.
Both teams registered 16 shots and eight on target, but William Smith held a commanding 13-1 edge in corner kicks.
The Herons close the regular season next Saturday, November 1, at RPI, where a win would guarantee at least a share of the Liberty League regular-season crown.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].