November 6, 2006

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College soccer team is seeded second in the ECAC Upstate Women’s Soccer Tournament. Skidmore is seeded first in the tournament, and will host the semifinal round and championship game Nov. 11-12.

On Nov. 11 at 11 a.m., the Herons will play the winner of Wednesday’s first round match between No. 3 Fredonia and No. 6 St. John Fisher. No. 4 Utica will meet No. 5 Vassar in other first round action, with the winner advancing to take on No. 1 Skidmore on Saturday at 2 p.m. The semifinal winners will play in the ECAC Championship game at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12.

This is the 19th consecutive postseason berth for the Herons, and 23rd straight winning season. William Smith carries a 10-6-2 overall record into the tournament, after finishing second in the Liberty League with a 6-1-0 mark.

Junior Liberty League Player of the Year Laura Burnett-Kurie (Oyster River/Durham, N.H.) has paced the Herons’ offense. She leads the league in goals (10) and points (23). Senior Heather Phillip (Cayuga/King Ferry, N.Y.) (4 goals, 3 assists), sophomore Katie Compton (The Loomis Chaffee School/West Hartford, Conn.) (4 goals, 2 assists), and senior Alex Rieben (Guilford/Guilford, Conn.) (4 goals) have all been offensive contributors.

Senior goalkeeper Nikki Dudley (Chittenango/Chittenango, N.Y.) (10-6-2) owns a 0.54 goals against average, allowing 10 goals in 18 games, and holds a save percentage of .828. She is supported by a solid defense consisting of classmate Ashley Kent (Westfield/Westfield, N.J.), juniors Leigh Williamson (Arlington/Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) and Tracy Stankavage (Chittenango/Chittenango, N.Y.), and sophomore Ali Art (Herricks/Manhasset Hills, N.Y.). Together they have recorded 10 shutouts on the season.

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