November 3, 2001

GENEVA, N.Y.--The William Smith College soccer team opened its record 15th consecutive NCAA Tournament in impressive fashion. The Herons cruised to a 5-0 victory over Keuka College for their 14th straight win.

William Smith dominated from the opening whistle, but could only manage one first half goal. In the 19th minute, junior forward Alyson Stachura (Pittsford Sutherland/Pittsford, N.Y.) put William Smith up 1-0 on a chip shot from inside the box.

In the second half, constant Heron pressure finally broke the Storm defense. At the 54:40 mark, senior midfielder Lauren Wendell (Cape Elizabeth/Cape Elizabeth, Maine) capitalized on a misplayed ball by Keuka junior goalie Missy Burngasser (Tonawanda/Tonawanda, N.Y.) for a 2-0 Heron lead. In the 73rd minute, first-year midfielder Christine Curry (Pittsfield/Pittsfield, Mass.) buried a cross from fellow first-year midfielder Debra Minarick (Wayne Valley/Wayne, N.J.) to put William Smith up 3-0. Senior back Summer Greiner (East Syracuse-Minoa/Kirkville, N.Y.) added a fourth goal on a direct kick in the 84th minute and Keuka knocked the ball into their own net for the final tally as the Herons went on to the 5-0 win.

In goal, senior Leah Cornwell (Wheatland-Chili/Caledonia, N.Y.) made one save in 77 minutes for the win before giving way to junior Melissa Buonvecchio (East Syracuse-Minoa/East Syracuse, N.Y.) who didn't face a shot in the final 13 minutes. Burngasser stopped nine shots in 56 minutes of work for the Storm (10-10-1), before being replaced by first-year goalie April Naugle (Cazenovia/Cazenovia, N.Y.) who made two saves in the final 34 minutes. William Smith outshot Keuka 26-1 on the day.

The Herons host Union College (15-3), a 3-2 winner over Nazareth College in the other NCAA second round game, for an all-UCAA New York Region Championship at 1 p.m., on Nov. 4. William Smith edged the Dutchwomen 1-0 in Geneva on Sept. 28.

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