POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (October 1, 2015) – The schedule for the now 8-2 Vassar College field hockey team will get a bit harder going forward, starting with a home matchup with No. 5 William Smith College Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. in Liberty League play. The Brewers are coming off back-to-back wins over St. Lawrence University (4-1) and Hartwick College (4-2) this past week. Vassar will also host its Play4theCure Contest, where VC will wear pink to raise awareness and honor those affected with breast cancer, for more information click HERE.

Game Details
Opponent: vs. No. 5 William Smith College (9-0, 1-0 Liberty League)
Links: (William Smith's Field Hockey Home Page) (Roster) (Stats) (Schedule)
Site: Poughkeepsie, NY
Facility:  Weinberg Field
Date: October 3, 2015
Time: 1 p.m.
Coverage: (Live Stats) (Live Video)

What To Look For
Each team comes into the weekend looking to defend long win streaks, as the Herons have won their first nine games this year while Vassar College has earned victories in their last 14 home contests. Last year, the Brewers hosted William Smith College and picked up a 2-0 victory; marking the last time the Herons have been shutout during the regular season. With all but one team in the Liberty League above .500, every Liberty League contest will be important towards earning a berth in the four-team conference tournament.

A Look At The Herons (9-0, 1-0 Liberty)
Things have been firing on all cylinders so far this season for the fifth-ranked Herons of William Smith College, as the Herons boast the nation's best offensive attack statistically. William Smith is coming off a 2-1 victory over Ithaca College on Wednesday evening, but for the season the Herons are averaging five goals per game, and are one of just eight remaining teams that have yet to suffer a defeat. William Smith is ninth in NCAA Division III in scoring margin at 3.49, and also is third overall in points per game with 12.89. WSC is second in the Liberty League in shots per game with 15.22, while allowing 1.55 goals a contest, which is fourth-best in the conference.

Individually, the dynamic duo of Hannah Wood and Alessandra Patrizio have been a tough task for any defense so far this season. Patrizio leads the conference and is third in the nation in goals per game with 1.67, while Wood is right behind her with 1.56 tallies a contest, ranking fifth in the country. The couple's combined 29 goals are more than the next four ranked players in the Liberty League combined. Teammate Cydney Conley ranks third in the conference in assists with five this season, and Maura Moran has tallied five goals and assisted on four others as well. Biz Chirco has started all nine games in cage for the Herons, averaging 1.55 goals against per game, while surrendering 12 tallies and making 33 saves on the season.

Against William Smith All-Time
The Brewers' win last year over William Smith was their first-ever victory over the Herons, as WSC has knocked off Vassar in 14 of the 15 all-time meetings dating back to 2000.

Four Score
The Brewers posted four goals in a game for the fourth time this season on Wednesday afternoon, marking the first time that VC has accomplished that feat in a single campaign since 2006.

Spread The Wealth
In the eight games that Vassar has scored, only in two games has one player posted multiple goal contests. In the other six outings, each goal scored by the Brewers came by a different player.

Ranked Rival
Over the last three seasons, Vassar has gone 2-6 against ranked opponents, with the wins coming against No. 13 Skidmore College October 11, 2013 and No. 13 University of Rochester October 11, 2014. VC played William Smith two years ago when the Herons were ranked No. 5, and lost in overtime 2-1 in Geneva.

First 10 Matter
Since 2013, the Brewers have gone 23-7 over their first 10 games of the past three years. Last year, Vassar started 9-1 on the season while the Brewers have been nearly as good in 2015, posting a 8-2 record.

Mega Newcomer
Freshman Megan Caveny (Cicero, NY/Cicero-North Syracuse) has been terrific in her first season with the Brewers, leading the team in points with 14, while tying for the top spot in goals and assists.

Storm Is Coming
Sophomore Storm Sideleau (Contoocook, NH/Kimball Union Academy) has picked up her offensive attack presence over the last three games, firing 11 total shots with eight coming on cage.

Forever Young
Freshman Mikayla Young (Hackettstown, NJ/West Morris Central) has come off the bench in all 10 games this year, but has earned points in her last two contests, including notching her second goal of the season Wednesday at Hartwick.

I Love The Beach
Junior Hayley Beach (Latham, NY/Shaker) was VC's leading goal scorer in 2014, but ended a five-game goalless streak with a goal and an assist Wednesday evening against Hartwick. She now has 15 goals in her career, which ties for 10^th most ever at Vassar. She leads the team this year in game winning goals with two.

One Shu Can Change Your Life
Junior Lauren Shumate (Encinitas, CA/San Dieguito Academy) has been phenomenal this season in the midfield for Vassar, and scored her first game-winner of her career at Ramapo September 19.

Next On The Agenda
Vassar will travel to the University of Rochester on October 12 at 6 p.m. to battle the Yellowjackets in an important Liberty League matchup.