By Mackenzie Larson, HWS Athletic Communications
GENEVA, N.Y.—Three different players recorded a hat trick as the third-ranked William Smith College lacrosse team defeated Union College 14-10 in a Liberty League semifinal on Boswell Field at David J Urick Stadium. With their 17th-straight victory, William Smith is now 17-0 on the season. The Dutchwomen wrap up their season with an 11-6 overall record.
Senior Maddie Montgomery and junior Allie McGinty shared game-high honors with four points each. Montgomery had four goals and McGinty scored three goals and added an assist. First-year Natalie Daniels added a hat trick in the victory. Montgomery won a game-high nine draws. Sophomore Maura Smeader played all 60 minutes in goal and made seven saves.
Sydney McPartlon and Drew Charlton led Union with three points each. They both had two goals and one assist. Anna Smith and Dana Nelson also had two goals. Greta Mauer won a team-high five draw controls and had two ground balls. Sydney Widlitz started in goal and made 10 saves.
STREAKING
- With today’s win, William Smith matched the longest win streak in program history at 17.
- This is the best start in program history. The Herons were 16-0 in 1994 and 1995.
- With four points in today’s game, McGinty and Montgomery extended their point streaks. McGinty has recorded at least one point in 38 straight games and Montgomery has found the score sheet 32 straight times.
KEY STATS
- William Smith finished the game with a 31-24 advantage in shots and a 17-15 edge in ground balls. The Herons also won the battle in the draw circle 17-10.
- Union was 20-of-23 clearing the ball and William Smith was 13-of-17 on its clear attempts.
- This is just the second time this season that an opponent hit double digits in goals against William Smith.
FIRST HALF
- The opening 30 minutes was a back-and-forth affair with William Smith holding an 8-7 lead at the break.
- After a save from Widlitz, Union took a 1-0 lead with 13:14 left in the first quarter. Dana Nelson bounced a shot past Smeader for her 19th goal of the season.
- The next trip down the field, William Smith had an extended offensive possession after Widlitz made three more point-blank saves. On the fourth shot of the possession, Katherine Murray beat the first-year goalie for her 34th goal of the season.
- Union regained the lead with 8:27 left in the frame on Drew Charlton’s 30th goal of the year.
- Montgomery made it 2-2 with 4:54 left in the first quarter. It was her 64th goal of the season.
- With 3:22 remaining in the quarter, Union again took a one-goal lead on Anna Smith’s goal. Charlton recorded an assist on the tally.
- Montgomery and Daniels scored free position goals 30 seconds apart to give William Smith a 4-3 lead after the first quarter.
- McPartlon opened the second quarter with her 45th goal of the year. It was an unassisted tally.
- McGinty extended her point streak with her 23rd goal of the season with 11:51 remaining in the first half. The Herons used transition offense to turn a turnover into a fast-break goal. Katherine Murray was awarded an assist on the goal.
- McParlton’s second goal of the game made it 5-5.
- Senior Kaitlin Pellechia started a three-goal run for the Herons with 8:35 left in the half. Her 32nd goal of the year was assisted by first-year Hannah Evans. Just over a minute later, Montgomery completed her hat trick with a free position attempt. McGinty gave William Smith an 8-5 lead with her 24th goal of the season. Pellechia was awarded an assist on the tally.
- Smith and Greta Maurer scored goals for Union to round out the opening 30 minutes. Maurer’s goal came in transition and just beat the buzzer.
PULLING AWAY
- The Herons took control of the game, scoring all four goals in the third quarter.
- Senior Molly Davis started the run with a free position goal. It was her 24th goal of the year.
- With just under six minutes left, Payton McMahon dunked home a pass from Allie McGinty to make it 10-7.
- Daniels and McGinty rounded out the quarter with goals 35 seconds apart. It was their 28th and 25th goals, respectively.
FINAL FRAME
- Charlton and Dana Nelson pocketed goals 33 seconds apart early in the fourth quarter. Nelson’s goal was assisted by McPartlon and made it 12-9 with 9:23 remaining in regulation.
- Three minutes later, Maddie Montgomery fired home a free position shot for her 67th goal of the season.
- Katie Julien beat Smeader with a free position shot with 4:08 left in the game.
- Daniels answered less than a minute later, completing her hat trick. It was her 29th goal of the season.
UP NEXT
William Smith will be back in action Sunday, May 7, when it welcomes Ithaca to Boswell Field. This will be the fifth straight season that the Herons and Bombers will meet for the conference championship.
