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Heron field hockey to host Eastern in NCAA 1st round
November 6, 2006
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GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College will host Eastern University in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament. The Herons and the Eagles will square off on McCooey Field at 4 p.m. on Nov. 8. Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students.
Fans unable to make the trip to Geneva can follow the action online.
William Smith (16-3) earned an automatic bid for the third consecutive season by winning the Liberty League Tournament Championship. The top-seeded Herons knocked off Rensselaer, 4-1, in the semifinals and St. Lawrence, 2-1, in the championship.
Two-time Liberty League Player of the Year Sophie Dennis (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) leads the Herons’ potent offense. She scored four goals in the team’s two Liberty League wins over the weekend, including both game-winners, to raise her season point total to 67, tying the single season record set by Kimberly O’Gorman ’88 in 1987. Five other Herons have reached double digits in points this season, including senior midfielder Liz Saucier (Old Town/Old Town, Maine) who tied the single season assists record of 15 established by Nicky Livingston ’02 in 2000.
Defensively, the Herons sported the second stingiest unit in the Liberty League with a team goals against average of 1.20. Sophomore goalie Katie DeKraker (Staples/Westport, Conn.) played more than 98 percent of William Smith’s minutes this season, posting a 1.16 goals against average and three shutouts. Junior Skylar Beaver (Williamsville North/Williamsville, N.Y.) and sophomore Charlotte Styer (Governor Mifflin/Mohnton, Pa.) share the team lead with three defensive saves each.
Led by three-time NFHCA National Coach of the Year Sally Scatton, William Smith has earned 17 NCAA Tournament berths, including national championships in 1992, 1997, and 2000.
Eastern (17-4) earned a spot in this year’s 24-team field by capturing the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PAC) Championship. The Eagles are making their fourth NCAA Tournament appearance and first since 2002.
Senior forward Christy Miller (Twin Valley/Elverson, Pa.) leads Eastern in goals (19) and points (49), while eight of her teammates also have reached double digits in points this season. In goal, sophomore Kelly Garland (Kutztown/Lanhartsville, Pa.) is second in the PAC in save percentage (.822) and third in goals against average (1.82).
The winner of Wednesday’s match will travel to Brunswick, Maine, and face Middlebury College (14-3) on Nov. 11.
The 2006 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Tournament wraps up on Nov. 17-18, on William Smith’s McCooey Field.