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Herons remain perfect with win over Red Hawks
April 25, 2003
GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith College scored 10 first half goals on its way to a 14-4 victory over Rensselaer in UCAA lacrosse action this evening. The Herons improve to 11-2 overall and a perfect 7-0 in UCAA action, while the Red Hawks fall to 4-8 overall and 1-5 in the conference.
Ranked seventh in the latest poll, William Smith dominated play from the start, getting a goal from junior Gretchen Lasda (West Genesee/Camillus, N.Y.) just 26 seconds into the game. Three minutes later junior Shana Hawrylchak (Guilderland/Altamont, N.Y.) made it 2-0 off an assist from senior Megan Shea (Mountain Lakes/Doylestown, Pa.).
Winning the ensuing draw control, the Herons raced down the field and forced a Red Hawk foul that resulted in a free position goal for Shea just 42 seconds later, taking a 3-0 lead less than four minutes into the game.
The Herons played solid defense in the opening session, allowing Rensselaer just four shots, while receiving goals from eight different players for the 10-0 halftime lead.
William Smith upped its lead to 12 before junior Mary Roy (Columbia/Rensselaer, N.Y.) put the Red Hawks in the scoring column with 15:40 left to play.
Rensselaer would get three more goals, but could not rebound from the hole it dug in the first 30 minutes. The Herons outshot the Red Hawks 41 to 14 and collected 49 ground balls to their 29.
Sophomore Tracy Genovese (Geneva/Geneva, N.Y.) and junior Nicki Traino (West Genesee/Syracuse, N.Y.) led all scorers with three goals apiece, while Shea pitched in a goal and two assists. Mary Beth Cooley (St. Vincent Palotti/Beltsville, Md.) led Rensselaer with two scores on the evening.
In goal, junior Becca Splain (Middlebury Union/Middlebury, Vt.) and sophomore Michelle Zimmer (Skaneateles/Auburn, N.Y.) combined for eight saves, while Meghan Gaul (Upper St. Clair/Upper St. Clair, Pa.) posted a 19-save performance.
Having already clinched the top seed and home field advantage for the UCAA Tournament on May 3-4, the Herons look to remain perfect when they host Vassar College on April 26. The draw is scheduled for 3 p.m.