The 12th-ranked William Smith soccer team secured the Liberty League regular-season championship Saturday afternoon, defeating Union 2-0 at College Park Field for its eighth consecutive victory. The Herons improved to 12-3-0 overall and remained unbeaten in conference play at 8-0-0, while the Garnet Chargers dropped to 6-4-6 and 4-1-3.
The victory marked William Smith’s 22nd Liberty League regular-season title and its first since 2023.
Grace Metzler and Grace Sudbay provided the scoring, while goalkeeper Antonia Goerke recorded her second consecutive shutout.
William Smith broke through in the 37th minute when Metzler finished a crossing pass from Izzy Thors following a free kick.
Metzler chipped the ball past Union goalkeeper Maya Koster, extending her point-scoring streak to seven consecutive games.
The Herons doubled their advantage in the 59th minute when Sudbay collected a pass from Miranda DeMura and fired a shot from 30 yards out over Koster’s hands.
The goal was Sudbay’s fourth of the season and gave William Smith additional breathing room entering the final half-hour.
Union threatened late, but Goerke made a diving save on Hannah Sams in the 84th minute to preserve the shutout.
Koster also made a diving stop against DeMura in the closing minutes.
William Smith finished with a 13-6 advantage in shots and a 6-2 edge in corner kicks. Both goalkeepers recorded three saves.
The Herons conclude their regular season Saturday, October 31, hosting Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute at Cozzens Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
