William Smith lacrosse opened Liberty League play with a dominant 18-6 victory over Skidmore on Saturday, improving to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in conference action.
The ninth-ranked Herons featured a balanced offensive attack with 11 different players scoring. Lauren Collins and Grace Rund led the way with three goals each, while Cat Colvin recorded a game-high four points on two goals and two assists. Rund also controlled the draw circle with 10 draw controls.
William Smith took control immediately, scoring just 16 seconds into the game when Delaney Cassidy found the net. Rund added another goal moments later and Collins scored on a woman-up opportunity to give the Herons an early 3-0 advantage. Skidmore briefly slowed the run, but William Smith maintained control throughout the opening quarter.
After Skidmore trimmed the deficit early in the second quarter, the Herons responded with a decisive stretch that put the game out of reach. William Smith scored 12 of the next 13 goals over a 30-minute span across the second, third and fourth quarters.
Rund completed her hat trick during a five-goal third quarter for the Herons. Collins also finished her hat trick in the period, while Amanda Leone, Ally Orquiola, and Kira Fulton added goals during the surge.
Defensively, William Smith forced consistent turnovers and dominated possession. The Herons finished with advantages in shots on goal (43-15), draw controls (18-8) and ground balls (23-13). Janey Sypeck recorded four caused turnovers and four ground balls, while Collins added three caused turnovers. Casey Fiore made five saves in nearly 52 minutes in goal.
William Smith returns to action Monday, March 16 against Salisbury in Panama City Beach, Florida. Opening draw is scheduled for 9 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].