William Smith hockey scored three third-period goals to secure a 4-1 victory over Morrisville on Friday afternoon at the Morrisville IcePlex, clinching a spot in the six-team SUNYAC playoffs.
The Herons improved to 11-11-0 overall and 7-4-0 in conference play, completing a season sweep of the Mustangs. Rowan Kennedy led the offense with a goal and an assist, while Finley Crosby, Lilly Relyea and Ainsley Lonczak also scored. First-year goaltender Julia Echavarria earned her second collegiate win, making 18 saves.
After a scoreless opening period, William Smith broke through when Relyea intercepted a clearing attempt and scored a short-handed goal to give the Herons a 1-0 lead. Crosby doubled the advantage early in the third period, finishing a pass at the crease for her team-leading third game-winning goal of the season.
Morrisville cut the deficit to 2-1 midway through the final period on a power-play goal, but Kennedy restored the two-goal cushion with a finish off a pass from Colleen Quirk. Lonczak added an empty-net goal to seal the victory.
William Smith held a 24-19 edge in shots on goal, while the Mustangs went 1-for-5 on the power play and the Herons finished 0-for-4.
William Smith returns to action Saturday, February 14, traveling to Cortland for a 4 p.m. matchup against the Red Dragons.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.