William Smith lacrosse held off Cortland 10-9 on Saturday evening at Grady Field, improving to 3-0 on the season with a late fourth-quarter goal.
Kira Fulton led the Herons with four goals, while Delaney Cassidy and Grace Rund each scored twice. Rund also controlled seven draw controls, including the possession that led to the game-winning goal. Luly Kuhn contributed three caused turnovers and four ground balls for William Smith.
Cortland scored 43 seconds into the game, but the Herons answered with a free-position goal to tie the contest before Brooke Elizalde restored the Red Dragons’ lead. The teams traded opportunities through the opening quarter before William Smith gained momentum in the second period, scoring three times to take a 5-4 lead into halftime.
Cortland surged ahead early in the third quarter with three straight goals to move in front 7-5. Cassidy cut the deficit with a free-position goal late in the period to pull the Herons within one entering the fourth.
William Smith regained control early in the final quarter as Fulton scored twice in the opening five minutes to give the Herons an 8-7 advantage. Cortland responded with two goals to reclaim a 9-8 lead with just over six minutes remaining.
Rund won the ensuing draw, and Cassidy tied the game at 9-9 on a free-position opportunity with 4:42 left. Another draw control by Rund set up the decisive moment when she scored the go-ahead goal with 3:41 remaining. The Herons forced a turnover on Cortland’s final possession and ran out the clock.
William Smith will host St. John Fisher on Wednesday, March 11 at 4:30 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].