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William Smith to play Wheaton in NCAA Tournament
May 2, 2004
GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College lacrosse team earned its 16th berth into the NCAA Tournament this afternoon after winning the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Championship. The Herons will travel to Middlebury, Vt., where they will play Wheaton (Mass.) College on May 8. The game time is tentatively set for 2 p.m. Ticket prices are $3 for general admission and $2 for children 12 and under and students with proper ID.
Under the leadership of longtime Head Coach Pat Genovese, eighth ranked William Smith (16-1) is looking to advance to the NCAA Semifinals for the second consecutive season and 12th time in the program’s history. The Herons have appeared in the national championship game five times. The lone coach in Division III and only second in all of women’s lacrosse to reach the 300-win plateau, Genovese sports a 311-104-1 career record.
The Heron offense is led by senior attackers Gretchen Lasda (West Genesee/Camillus, N.Y.) with 60 goals and 20 assists and Brighde Dougherty (Manasquan/Sea Girt, N.J.) with 32 goals and 14 helpers. The UCAA Player of the Year, Lasda is currently tied for second on the career assists list (89) and is fifth in career points (231).
Defensively senior goaltender Becca Splain (Middlebury Union/Middlebury, Vt.) is 16-1 on the season, tying the William Smith record for wins in a season. Making a career-high 191 saves this year, she is sporting a 7.01 goals against average and .612 save percentage. Tops on the all-time wins list (59), Splain currently is second on the career goals against average list (6.70) and seventh in save percentage (.590).
The winner of the game will advance to the NCAA Quarterfinal game on May 9.