By Mackenzie Larson, HWS Athletic Communications
SCHENECTADY, N.Y.—The third-ranked William Smith College lacrosse team defeated Union College 16-5 in a Liberty League Contest on Frank Bailey Field this afternoon. Senior Maddie Montgomery matched her career-high with seven goals as the Herons improved to 15-0 overall on the season and 9-0 in Liberty League play.
With today’s win, William Smith clinched its ninth Liberty League regular season title. The Herons also earned the lone first-round bye in the seven-team Liberty League Championship.
Montgomery finished with a game-high seven points and four draw controls. Fellow seniors Molly Davis and Kaitlin Pellechia added hat tricks in the victory. Senior Payton McMahon (1g, 2a) and junior Allie McGinty (1g, 1a) also had multi-point games for the Herons. McMahon, McGinty and senior Liza Diffley finished with three ground balls each. Sophomore Maura Smeader played all 60 minutes in the William Smith goal and made six saves.
Greta Mauer led the way for the Dutchwomen (8-5, 4-4) with two goals. Mauer and Ella Trout had two caused turnovers and three ground balls to lead the way for Union. Drew Charlton won four draws for Union. Sydney Widlitz started in goal and made a career-high 20 saves.
KEY STATS
- William Smith dominated the stat sheet, finishing with a 39-16 advantage in shots on goal and a 19-14 edge in ground balls. The Herons won the battle in the draw circle 19-6.
- The Herons were 17-for-17 on clear attempts and the Dutchwomen were 16-for-20.
- With four draw controls in today’s game, Montgomery now has 203 for her career. She is the second Heron to have 200 career draw controls.
STREAKING
- William Smith has won 15 games in a row. It is the first time the Herons are 15-0 since 1995.
- With her two points in today’s game McGinty extended her point streak to 36 games. Montgomery has recorded at least one point in 30 straight games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Both teams scored twice in the first 15 minutes of the game, which started as a defensive battle.
- Union jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Mauer’s 12th goal of the year. It was an unassisted goal.
- Pellechia scored twice in 17 seconds to give William Smith a 2-1 lead with 9:14 remaining in the opening frame. Her first goal was unassisted and her second tally was set up by McMahon. The goals were her 28th and 29th of the season.
- The Dutchwomen tied the game with 20 seconds remaining in the first quarter on Dana Nelson’s 10th goal of the season.
- The Herons seized control of the game with a 10-1 run between the second and third quarters. Nine of the goals came before halftime.
- Davis and Montgomery started the run with unassisted goals. Davis beat a Union defender for her 20th goal of the season and Montgomery scored on a free position attempt for her 52nd goal of the season.
- Anna Smith briefly halted the run with her 16th goal of the season, making it a one-goal game, but that would be as close as the Dutchwomen would get.
- Montgomery gave William Smith a 5-3 lead with her 53rd goal of the year. It was the first of seven goals the Herons would score in the final five minutes of the half.
- Davis completed her hat trick with a pair of goals 45 seconds apart. Her 21st goal of the season was a woman-up free position goal. Her 22nd goal of the year was unassisted.
- With 2:13 remaining in the second quarter, McMahon beat the Union goalie with a free position shot. It was her 26th goal of the year.
- Montgomery sandwiched her 54th and 55th goals of the season around Katherine Murray’s 27th goal to close out the first 30 minutes. Montgomery’s third and fourth goals of the game were free position goals and Murray’s tally was set up by McGinty.
- Montgomery opened the second half with her fifth goal of the game. It was an unassisted tally.
- Maurer and Elena Gerrato scored goals 30 seconds apart to end William Smith’s 10-1 run.
- Montgomery rounded out the third quarter with her 57th goal of the season.
- McGinty, Montgomery and Pellechia scored in the final 15 minutes of the game. McMahon had an assist on McGinty’s goal and junior Emily Griffin set up Pellechia’s goal.
UP NEXT
William Smith will be back in action next Saturday, April 29, when it heads to Vassar to conclude the regular season. The opening draw is scheduled for 11 a.m. in Poughkeepsie, New York.