November 5, 2001

GENEVA, N.Y.--The William Smith College soccer team will host the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Quarterfinal between the Herons and the Amherst College Jeffs on Nov. 10 at noon on Cozzens Memorial Field. Ticket prices are $4 for general admission, $2 for students with proper ID and senior citizens, and $1 for children 12 and under.

William Smith (17-1-1) is making its record-breaking 15th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance and is in the midst of a 15-game unbeaten streak (14-0-1). The Herons earned a bye in the first round, knocked off Keuka College 5-0 in the regional semifinal on Nov. 3, and edged Union College 4-3 on penalty kicks after playing four overtimes knotted at 1-1.

Head Coach Aliceann Wilber boasts a career record of 287-90-25 (.745), including a 19-10-9 (.618) mark in the NCAA Tournament. Under her direction, the Herons have reached the quarterfinals 11 times, advancing to the semifinals four times, including three trips to the championship game. William Smith won its only national championship in 1988.

The Heron offense is led by junior forwards Alyson Stachura (Pittsford Sutherland/Pittsford, N.Y.) and Kristin Perrigo (Liverpool/Liverpool, N.Y.). Stachura leads the team in goals (15), game-winning goals (6), and points (31), while Perrigo leads the team in assists (9) and is second in points (29).

Defensively, senior goalie Leah Cornwell (Wheatland-Chili/Caledonia, N.Y.) sports a 0.52 goals against average and an .863 save percentage, while registering seven shutouts. Along with senior backs Felicia Crump (The Lawrenceville School/Marlboro, N.J.) and Summer Greiner (East Syracuse-Minoa/Kirkville, N.Y.) and junior back Amy Pendergast (East Syracuse-Minoa/East Syracuse, N.Y.), the William Smith defense has allowed just 10 goals this season, posting 11 shutouts.

The Jeffs (14-4-1) are making their sixth appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Amherst has reached the quarterfinal round four times, including three straight from 1995 through 1997. The Jeffs advanced to the semifinals in 1996. Senior Cathy Poor leads the team in scoring with 38 points (15-8), while junior Brooke Diamond has anchored the defense with a 0.81 goals against average and an .893 save percentage.

Amherst reached the quarterfinals with a 6-0 win in the first round over Endicott College, a 4-1 upset of previously unbeaten Wheaton (Mass.) College in the regional semifinal, and a 2-1 double overtime decision over Western Connecticut State University in the New England Region Championship match.

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