September 27, 2006

Brittney Paye

Katie DeKraker

GENEVA, N.Y.—The 10th-ranked William Smith field hockey team picked up its seventh consecutive victory, defeating the University of Rochester 2-0 in a Liberty League match on McCooey Field tonight. Junior Brittney Paye (Clinton/Clinton, N.Y.) scored the game’s first goal and sophomore goalie Katie DeKraker (Staples/Westport, Conn.) made it stand up, finishing the night with four saves.

The Herons needed less than five minutes to solve the Rochester defense. Senior Sophie Dennis (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) sent a pass from the left post to Paye three yards out in front of the center of the cage. Paye deposited the offering for her second goal of the season.

Dennis gave the Herons (7-1, 3-0 Liberty) some breathing room in the 28th minute. She received a pass near middle field, outran two Yellowjacket defenders, and sent a reverse sweep shot into the back of the cage. The tally was her League leading 13th of the season.

The rest of the night belonged to the defenses. DeKraker was tough in the cage for William Smith and benefited from two defensive saves, one by junior Skylar Beaver (Williamsville North/Williamsville, N.Y.) and one by sophomore Charlotte Styer (Governor Mifflin/Monhton, Pa.).

At the other end of the field, junior Rachel Cahan (North Shore Country Day/Evanston, Ill.) registered 12 stops for Rochester (4-4, 1-2) and also was the beneficiary of a pair of defensive saves, both by senior Heidi Davies (New Canaan/New Canaan, Conn.).

William Smith held a 21-8 advantage on shots and a 14-6 edge in penalty corners.

The Herons are back in action at 7 p.m. on Oct. 29, when they host Elmira College on McCooey Field.

Back to William Smith Field Hockey