Tanner scored the game-winning goal in the second overtime as William Smith upset Union 12-11 this afternoon. (photo by Kevin Colton)

April 7 , 2006

GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College senior midfielder Jessica Tanner (Guilderland/Schenectady, N.Y.) scored the game-winning goal just 53 seconds into the second overtime to complete a thrilling come-from-behind victory over No. 15 Union College this afternoon in Liberty League women’s lacrosse action on McCooey Field. The Herons scored six of the final seven goals to hand the Dutchwomen their first conference loss.

Junior midfielder Sarah Dillon (Blair Academy/Oldwick, N.J.) led the rally cry for William Smith with a season-high five goals, including four in the second stanza, while senior attacker Louise Greenwood (Springside School/Wyndmoor, Pa.) netted a pair of markers off the bench.

Trailing 10-6 with 8:35 remaining in regulation, the Herons (5-3, 3-0 Liberty League) started to mount their comeback with three lightning quick strikes. Greenwood touched off the surge by firing a frozen rope just inside the left post on a free position shot at the 51:25 mark. With the lamp still lit, Tanner connected off a feed from first-year attacker Caitlin Leone (Auburn/Auburn, N.Y.) just 32 second later. Dillon completed her hat trick at the 53:47 mark, whittling Union’s lead to 10-9.

Sophomore midfielder Keri Messa (Hotchkiss School/Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) temporarily halted William Smith’s momentum with her second goal of the contest exactly one minute later.

The upset-minded Herons’ would not be denied as they rode the hot stick of Dillon down the stretch. For the fifth time in the match, Dillon brought the Herons within a goal, as she converted off a free position shot at 56:33. William Smith’s leading scorer recorded the equalizer just 73 seconds later, sending the contest into overtime. It was Dillon’s 19th tally of the season.

The Dutchwomen (5-3, 4-1) raced out to an early 4-0 advantage midway through the first half and entered the intermission leading 6-4. Junior midfielder Stephanie Cronan (Marblehead/Marblehead, Mass.) paced Union with three goals, while sophomore midfielder Caitlin Cuozzo (King Philip Regional/Norfolk, Mass.) handed out three assists.

Between the pipes, sophomore goalie Morgan Baird (Pingree School/Gloucester, Mass.) turned in a spectacular performance for the Herons. She kept the game at a workable margin in the first half with six saves and finished the contest with 10, including a huge save on a free position shot in the waning seconds of regulation.

Senior netminder Rachel Beckman (Needham, Mass.) received the starting nod for the Dutchwomen and frustrated William Smith in the opening half with five saves before giving way to sophomore Rachel Burlton (Milton Academy/Coquitlam, British Columbia) in the second stanza (3 saves). Beckman resumed her post in both overtime sessions.

Union held a slight 28-26 advantage in shots, while the Herons countered with a 27-25 edge in ground balls.

William Smith returns to action at 2 p.m. on April 8, when the Herons host No. 18 Skidmore College (9-1, 4-1) on McCooey Field.

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Jessica Tanner's postgame comments

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