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Herons advance, Dennis breaks career goals record
November 11 , 2005
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Sue Jordan made a career-high 23 |
GRANTHAM, Pa.--The 11th-ranked William Smith field hockey team advance to the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III Tournament this afternoon on the strength of a 2-1 win over sixth-ranked Montclair State.
In the 20th minute, junior Sophie Dennis (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) gave the Herons the early lead with the only goal of the first half. The goal is the 60th of her career, one better than former Heron record holder Jennifer Joinnides '97.
At the other end of the field, goalie Sue Jordan (Boothbay/Boothbay, Maine) was more than a little busy. The senior made 15 stops in the opening 35 minutes, five more than she made in any other complete game this season. Jordan finished the afternoon with a career-high 23 saves.
After the break, junior Liz Saucier (Old Town/Old Town, Maine) staked William Smith (17-3) to a two-goal advantage in the 38th minute with her fifth goal of the year.
The Red Hawks (17-2) kept things interesting, halving their deficit in the 42nd minute, but the Heron defense stood tall down the stretch. In addition to Jordan's spectacular performance in the cage, senior back Lauren Fuller (Shaker/Loudonville, N.Y.) recorded two defensive saves.
Montclair State outshot William Smith 34-20 and held a 23-7 advantage on penalty corners, but in the end could not solve the Herons' stingy defense.
With a trip to the national semifinals in Lexington, Va. on the line, William Smith will face regional host Messiah at 1 p.m. on Nov. 13. The Falcons advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-4 win over Alvernia.