November 1, 2006

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College soccer team is ranked seventh in the New York State Region, according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) weekly poll. The Herons slipped one spot after dropping a game to nationally-ranked Ithaca College 1-0 last Saturday. They share the seventh spot with Liberty League opponent Hamilton College. The NSCAA rankings are voted on weekly by coaches across the country.

William Smith enters the postseason with an overall record of 10-5-1 and a league record of 6-1-0. The Herons are seeded second in the Liberty League Tournament, after allowing just two goals in conference play, while netting 15 of their own.

Junior Laura Burnett-Kurie (Oyster River/Durham, N.H.) leads the league in goals (10) and points (23), while senior Heather Phillip (Cayuga/King Ferry, N.Y.) has been an offensive force with four goals and three 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 also added to the Heron offense.

Senior goalkeeper Nikki Dudley (Chittenango/Chittenango, N.Y.) (10-5-1) has led a talented defense that has allowed just eight goals in regular season play. Alongside Dudley, classmate Ashely Kent (Westfield/Westfield, N.J.), juniors Tracy Stankavage (Chittenango/Chittenango, N.Y.) and Leigh Williamson (Arlington/Poughkeepsie, N.Y.), and sophomore Ali Art (Herricks/Manhasset Hills, N.Y.) have anchored a unit that has recorded nine shutouts, and ranks third in the league in goals against average (0.49).

The Herons will be in action on Nov. 3 when they travel to Union for the semifinal round of the Liberty League Tournament. No. 2 William Smith will play No. 3 Skidmore at 1:30 p.m., while No. 1 Union will take on No. 4 Hamilton at 11 a.m. The winners will meet in the championship game at noon on Nov. 4.

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