GENEVA, NY (October 1, 2016) – The Vassar College field hockey team scored late to pull to within one, but the rally came up just short as the Brewers fell to No. 12 William Smith College 3-2 in a Liberty League tussle from McCooey Field Saturday.

The loss for Vassar (9-2, 1-1 Liberty League) was its first in the last eight games, while it snapped VC's seven-game winning streak dating back to September 7. Also, the three goals were the first scores allowed by the Brewers since their lone defeat against Kean University.

William Smith led on a familiar villain of Vassar, as junior Hannah Wood scored two first half goals and has now scored six times in the last two games with the Brewers dating back to last year. The Herons (7-3, 2-0 Liberty League) came out quick and nearly scored in the sixth minute, but a Maura Moran shot hit the post.

Only minutes later, the Herons would jump out in front, as Wood scored her first goal of the day with help from Moran to make the score 1-0. Wood nearly doubled her tally in the 17^th minute, but sophomore Paige Amico turned away a one-on-one battle with the junior to keep the score 1-0.

Wood though would get her second later in the first half, as she scored on a penalty corner with help from Cydney Conley and Fallon Adair. It was Wood's 14^th goal of the season, which leads the Liberty League.

Vassar didn't go away though, showing some fight right before the half as junior Storm Sideleau battled for a free ball in front of the cage. She then turned and fired a shot off of Heron keeper Biz Chirco's shoulder and into the cage to make the score 2-1 with just nine seconds to play in the opening period. WSC outshot Vassar 9-5 in the opening half.

Out of the intermission, William Smith regained its two-goal edge as Conley put in a rebound of a Wood shot to make the score 3-1. The Brewers then went on the offensive, pushing forward and pinning the Herons in their own end. VC almost got on the board again in the 44^th minute, but freshman Cristina Lopez had a shot saved off the line by defender Jessica Borbee.

Seconds later, senior Hayley Beach pushed her shot towards goal but the attempt clanged off the post to keep Vassar behind by two. With just over 16 minutes to play, sophomore Mikayla Young beat Chirco but Borbee once again make a defensive save to deny the Brewers. During a four minute stretch, Vassar fired six shots and earned five corners, but couldn't capitalize.

With about two minutes to play, Vassar earned a penalty corner and sophomore Alyssa More fired with help from classmate Megan Caveny to pull VC to within one. After a timeout by VC, the Brewers had a chance in the last minute on a penalty corner, but Caveny's shot was just saved by Chirco to help the Herons preserve the win.

Both teams fired 17 shots on the day, and VC picked up a 12-6 edge in penalty corners. Amico made eight saves in goal for the Brewers, while Chirco finished with five stops for the Herons. Wood led the WSC contingent with seven shots, while Caveny and More each had five attempts apiece for VC.

The Brewers will be off for a week before hosting the University of Rochester (10-0) on Weinberg Field for VC's annual Play 4 The Cure contest.