Box Score

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (September 26, 2008) -- The William Smith field hockey team, ranked No. 11 nationally in the National Field Hockey Coaches Associaton (NFHCA) poll, scored two first half goals and stymied the Vassar College attack, to register a 2-0 victory over the Brewers in opening Liberty League play Friday afternoon at Weinberg Field.

With the loss, Vassar drops to 3-5, 0-1. William Smith stays unbeaten at 7-0, 1-0. The Brewers will host Rochester on Saturday in Liberty League play at 2:00 p.m., while the Herons travel to Rensselaer.

The Herons controlled action in the first half, getting on the board 15:37 into the contest when junior midfielder Janelle Walkley (Tioga Center, NY/Tioga) scored her third goal of the year off a penalty corner that was assisted by senior forward Kelsey Landahl (Delevan, NY/Pioneer).

William Smith scored its second goal of the game off a penalty stroke. Junior forward Kaitlyn Hamilton (Harpursville, NY/Harpursville) slapped her shot past Vassar senior goalie Taylor Herman (Flemington, NJ/Hunterdon Central) to extend the Herons' lead. Despite the loss, Herman was strong in goal, making 10 saves in the game.

William Smith had 22 shots in the game, 14 coming in the first half. Vassar got all of its six shots in the second half, and despite playing more aggressively on the offensive end, was unable to get off a shot on William Smith senior goalie Katie DeKraker (Westport, CT/Staples) who didn't need to make a save in the game.

William Smith held a 9-2 advantage in penalty corners.