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Heron field hockey team dubbed top seed in ECAC fray
November 10, 2003
GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College field hockey team will be the top seed in the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Championship Tournament that begins on Nov. 12. The Herons will host No. 8 Oneonta on McCooey Field at 5 p.m.
The winner will advance to the semifinal round on Nov. 15, and face the winner of No. 4 Ursinus and No. 5 McDaniel. Saturday’s semifinals and Sunday’s Championship will be hosted by the highest remaining seed following Wednesday’s games.
The Herons, ranked 12th in last week’s NFHCA Coaches Poll, finished the season with a 14-5 record. William Smith boasts a stingy defense that allowed just 14 goals. Senior goalie Jessica Kulesa (Garden City/Garden City, N.Y.) anchors the UCAA’s toughest defense. The North-South All-Star ranks third in career wins (40), fifth in career goals against average (1.00), and seventh in career saves (269).
Offensively, first-year Sophie Dennis (Dana L. West/Port Byron, N.Y.) is enjoying a record-breaking rookie campaign. She boasts 17 goals—a William Smith first-year record—and three assists, and is two points shy of breaking the Herons’ rookie record. Sophomores Maggie Dolan (Towson/Towson, Md.) and Lauren Fuller (Shaker/Loudonville, N.Y.) sport 23 and 20, respectively, for a very deep Heron attack. Fifteen of William Smith’s 21 players have recorded at least a point.
The Red Dragons enter the tournament with a 14-7 record. Oneonta is led by Rachael Decker and Jess Keller, who both have a team-best 10 goals this season.