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Herons to host NCAA field hockey regional; Dennis, Jordan earn Liberty League honors
November 8 , 2004
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Sophie Dennis |
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Sue Jordan |
GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College field hockey team will host one of four NCAA Division III Regional Tournaments this weekend, Nov. 13-14, with a berth in the national semifinals on the line. Tickets for all three games at McCooey Field are $5 for adults and $3 for children.
The Herons will square off with Wittenberg University in the first semifinal at 11 a.m., on Nov. 13, with Ursinus College and the winner of Wednesday’s Keene State College/University of Maine-Farmington game to follow at 2 p.m. The winners will meet in Sunday’s quarterfinal at 1 p.m.
William Smith earned its 15th trip to the NCAA Tournament by virtue of the automatic bid awarded to the Liberty League champion. The Herons captured their sixth conference crown on Sunday with a 3-2 come-from-behind win over St. Lawrence.
For their efforts, sophomore forward Sophie Dennis (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) and junior goalie Sue Jordan (Boothbay/Boothbay, Maine) were named the Liberty League Offensive and Defensive Performers of the Week.
Dennis scored twice and assisted on two other goals to lead the Herons to the title. In a 3-0 win over Skidmore in the semifinals, she scored the game-winner and the first of two insurance goals to secure a berth in the finale. The following afternoon, she notched assists on the Herons' first and third goals. Her conference-leading 45 points (18-9) this season rank third on the Herons’ all-time list.
Jordan recorded nine saves, an .818 save percentage, a 1.00 GAA, and a shutout in the Herons’ championship run. In the semifinal match against Skidmore, she was outstanding, turning away all seven shots she faced for her conference-leading eighth shutout of the year. The following afternoon against St. Lawrence, she rebounded from a pair of first half goals to make two second half saves in a 3-2 win.
For those unable to make the trip to Geneva this weekend for the NCAA Tournament games, live stats will be available online at: web.hws.edu/herons/hockey/schedule.asp and then clicking on the link for live stats.