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Herons re-enter coaches poll
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Morgan Baird |
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Jessica Tanner |
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Jesse McKenna |
April 25, 2006
GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College lacrosse team returned to the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association top 20 this week, holding down the No. 20 spot. The Herons began the year at No. 19, but slipped from the rankings for six weeks after dropping their first two games of the season, both against top 10 teams.
William Smith (9-5) elevated its level of play during a grueling run through the Liberty League, which includes No. 18 Skidmore (11-3) and No. 19 Union (8-4), while Hamilton (9-4) recently fell from the rankings. The Herons clinched the top seed in the Liberty League Tournament with road victories at Rensselaer and Vassar this past weekend.
On May 5-6, William Smith will host the conference tournament for the third time in the past four seasons. The four-team field also includes the Thoroughbreds, Dutchwomen, and Continentals. The 2006 Liberty League Champion will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Senior midfielder Jessica Tanner (Guilderland/Schenectady, N.Y.) and sophomore attacker Jesse McKenna (Middlesex School/Wenham, Mass.) spearheaded the Herons’ attack this past weekend, registering eight points each. Tanner scored six goals and dished out a pair of assists, while McKenna set up the offense with a goal and seven assists. Just as dominant in the defensive zone, Tanner garnered the Liberty League Women’s Defensive Performer of the Week award by collecting nine ground balls and three draws against the Red Hawks and Brewers.
In goal, sophomore Morgan Baird (Pingree School/Gloucester, Mass.) recorded a 6.38 goals against average and a .607 save percentage over the weekend. For the fifth time in the past six contests, she reached double digits in saves, turning back 14 RPI offerings on April 21. The following afternoon, Baird only needed to make three saves in 47 minutes of action against Vassar.
William Smith prides itself on playing a rugged schedule, and the 2006 slate is no exception. The Herons are battled tested after facing six nationally-ranked teams, including a 12-11 overtime upset over then 15th-ranked Union on April 7.
William Smith concludes its regular season at 1 p.m. on April 29, when the Herons travel to Ithaca for a non-conference match up.