October 30, 2002

GENEVA, N.Y.—The William Smith College soccer team is beginning to hit its stride as the end of the regular season approaches. Winning their last five games by at least a two-goal margin, the Herons (12-2-3, 5-1-1 UCAA) have moved up to the ninth spot in the NSCAA National Coaches Poll. Ranked, 14th in the previous poll, William Smith’s decisive victories over Vassar and Rensselaer this past weekend propelled the team into the top-10 as well as the UCAA Tournament.

The Herons secured a spot in the UCAA postseason after a 6-0 win over the Brewers and a 3-0 shutout of the Engineers landed William Smith in second place in the UCAA behind Union College. They will face off against St. Lawrence University in the UCAA Championship semifinals on Nov. 9, at Union College.

While the Herons garnered their 11th and 12th wins of the season, Head Coach Aliceann Wilber posted her 298th and 299th career victories. Since the program began in 1980, Wilber has amassed a record of 299-93-28 for a .771 winning percentage, including a record 15 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and a national championship in 1988. Wilber will have her first shot at number 300 on Nov. 2, when the Herons host Cortland State in their final regular season match of the year.

If she reaches this mark, Wilber will be the first female head coach in college soccer to do so, and only the fourth women’s coach of all-time. Only Terry Gurnett of the University of Rochester, who garnered his 300th win in 2001, precedes Wilber in the Division III women’s coaching ranks.

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