August 27, 2001

GENEVA, N.Y..-- The 2000 William Smith soccer team continued the program's tradition of success, capturing its fourth NCAA Regional Championship in eight years, en route to a 14-5-1 record. The Herons made a record-matching 14th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, falling one win shy of the national semifinals.

William Smith returns many key players in 2001, but will have to deal with the loss of Kathleen Thelian to graduation. The defender was a first-team All-American, NYSWCAA Player of the Year, as well as a member of the All-State and All-UCAA first-teams. Thelian led a stifling Heron defense that shut out opponents 10 times in 2000.

UCAA and NYSWCAA Coach of the Year Aliceann Wilber's roster is loaded with talent. Among the returnees are decorated veterans UCAA Rookie of the Year and All-UCAA junior Alyson Stachura and junior Regional All-American Kristin Perrigo. They are joined by fellow senior All-UCAA selections Felicia Crump, Summer Greiner, Leah Cornwell, and junior Amy Pendergast.

The Herons are deadly up front, with all three top scorers returning to start. Perrigo (9-5-23), sophomore Stephanie Leveille (7-5-19), and Stachura (7-2-16) were clutch players combining for six game-winning goals. Perrigo continued to compete at a high level in her second season. In the season's first half, she put together a six-game streak where she recorded at least two points-per-game. The forward scored the game-winning goals in back-to-back NCAA Tournament games in 2-1 victories over Nazareth and Oneonta. Leveille started 12 of William Smith's 20 games in her first season, including the last eight when she accounted for 10 of her 19 points. In her first healthy season with the Herons, Stachura established herself as an offensive force. She scored two goals in her first career start and notched the game-winner in three consecutive games against Rensselaer, Vassar, and Nazareth. Also seeing time at forward will be junior Maria Paoff, who came on strong at the end of the season. Paoff assisted on the game-tying goal in William Smith's come from behind victory over Oneonta in the NCAA Regional Championship game.

Junior Kristin Falzarano leads a very steady midfield. She started every game last season and was fourth on the Heron scoring list. Falzarano's four goals were all game-winners, including the decisive score over previously unbeaten Union. Senior Caroline Miller brings her talents to the midfield this season. Miller started 17 games on defense last year and had a very strong spring season. Seniors Lauren Wendell and Liz Dedrick will also see time in the midfield. Junior Amy Levesque, a tremendous competitor, could see time in the midfield as well as up top.

William Smith's defense remains very experienced despite the absence of Thelian. Pendergast will step into Thelian's leadership role on defense this season. A two-year starter, Pendergast is a skilled defender that should be one of the UCAA's best again this year. Crump will be another key defender in 2001. She started all but one of the Herons' 20 games last season for a defense that allowed just 0.70 gpg. Greiner moves to defense this season. Last year Greiner started every game and provided the team with strong play at midfield and solid offense (2-4-8). Senior Vicky Costello could use her experience in several roles this season. The strong and fast utility player scored a goal and an assist in the Herons' 7-0 rout of Clarkson. Sophomore Kathryn Picinich joins the defense this season after spending last season with the junior varsity squad.

In goal, first-team Regional All-American Leah Cornwell is back. The keeper had a goals against average of 0.73, a record of 13-5-1, and eight shutouts in 2000. Cornwell was the UCAA Goalie of the Week for three consecutive weeks last season. Junior Melissa Buonvecchio moves up from the junior varsity squad to back up Cornwell this season.

Joining the Herons this season are a group of skilled first-years. The newcomers bring speed and depth to William Smith as they make a run for a conference championship and a record-breaking 15th straight NCAA Tournament berth.

William Smith opens the season on Sept. 1, when it takes on Wilmington College at 11:30 a.m., in the first round of the Gettysburg Tournament. The Herons open their home schedule against New York University at 11 a.m. on Sept. 8, in the first game of the Heron Cup.

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