November 11, 2006

Sophie Dennis scored her team- leading 28th goal of the season. (Photo by Brian Beard)

Katie DeKraker made a career-high 17 saves. (Photo by Brian Beard)

BRUNSWICK, Maine—The William Smith College field hockey team advanced to the third round of the NCAA Tournament this afternoon, after defeating fourth-ranked Middlebury College 2-1. William Smith improved to 18-3 overall, while Middlebury closed out its season with a 14-4 mark.

With 21:20 remaining in the first half, senior Liz Saucier (Old Town/Old Town, Maine) took a long shot from the top of the circle that was saved by Panther goalie Meghan McGillen (East Harwich, Mass.). Classmate Sophie Dennis (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) was perfectly placed for the rebound, and connected to give the Herons a 1-0 lead. William Smith carried the lead into the break, after holding off 15 Middlebury penalty corners and 10 shots.

The Herons struck again in the 46th minute when first-year Kaitlyn Hamilton (Harpursville/Harpursville, N.Y.) put away another deflected Saucier shot, increasing their lead to 2-0.

The Panthers cut the lead to one in the 55th minute, after junior Reid Berrien (Westport, Conn.) scored on a breakaway one-on-one with Heron goalkeeper Katie DeKraker (Staples/Westport, Conn.).

Sophomore DeKraker finished with a season-high 17 saves, while McGillen stopped nine shots for Middlebury. The Panthers finished with a 20-13 edge in shots, and a 19-6 advantage in penalty corners.

The ninth-ranked Herons will play No. 3 Bowdoin on Nov. 12 at 1 p.m. The winner will advance to the semifinal round, to be held at William Smith College Nov. 17-18.

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