Morgan Baird

Sarah Dillon

Jesse McKenna

April 21, 2006

GENEVA, N.Y.—After a seven-game homestand, the William Smith College lacrosse team hits the road this weekend for its final two Liberty League contests of the year at Rensselaer and at Vassar.

On April 21, the Herons (7-5) and the Red Hawks (4-8) tangle at 4 p.m., while William Smith squares off against the Brewers (7-6) at 2 p.m. the following afternoon.

With a League record of 5-1, the Herons have already secured a berth in the Liberty League Tournament, joining Hamilton (5-1), Skidmore (6-1), and Union (5-2). Four conference games will be played this weekend that affect the tournament’s seeding. William Smith could finish as high as first or as low as third in the standings.

If Hamilton defeats Skidmore on Friday and the Herons defeat both Rensselaer and Vassar, William Smith will take first place and host the Liberty League Tournament, May 5-6. The Thoroughbreds, however, control their own destiny and can wrap up first place with a win over the Continentals.

The Herons have not lost to the Red Hawks or the Brewers since joining the Liberty League in 2001. Although, Rensselaer (7-6 in ’05, 10-9 in 2OT in ’04) and Vassar (12-11 in ’05) have come close in the past two seasons.

Defensively, sophomore goalie Morgan Baird (Pingree School/Gloucester, Mass.) has been on a tear of late. The reigning ECAC Defensive Player of the Week boasts an 8.14 goals against average and a .578 save percentage over the past six games. She recorded a career-high 18 stops in a 13-9 win over Rochester on April 11. Overall, Baird has a 9.28 GAA and a .539 save percentage.

At the other end of the field, junior midfielder Sarah Dillon (Blair Academy/Oldwick, N.J.) has paced the Herons’ scoring efforts with 25 goals and six assists for 31 points. Six of Dillon’s teammates have reached double digits in points, including sophomore attacker Jesse McKenna (Middlesex School/Wenham, Mass.), who sports a team-high 11 assists (18 pts).

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