Boxscore

GENEVA, N.Y. – William Smith midfielder Melanie O'Connor broke a 2-2 tie in the 49th minute to give the Herons, ranked 19th in this week's Kookaburra/NFHCA Div. III National Poll, the eventual game-winning tally over the Manhattanville field hockey team, before two more goals were added to secure the 5-2 victory on Saturday afternoon at the William Smith Classic.

Manhattanville tied the contest twice on two occasions, as freshman Rebecca Pratt (Cornville, Maine) tied the game for the first time while adding her first collegiate goal in the 25th minute from five yards out. The Herons opened up the score sheet seven minutes earlier, when Sarah Gall redirected a lifted shot by Kiersten Hamilton. William Smith outshot the Valiants 19-2 in the first half, but the Valiants were kept alive by freshman netminder Melissa Grant (Hampton, N.H.), who made 13 saves in the opening 35 minutes.

William Smith took the lead once again five minutes into the half off a rebound by Natalie Blauvelt.  The Valiants tied the game once again in the 44th minute with a long cross from sophomore Melissa Goncalves (Holtsville, N.Y.) to senior Jen Ascencio (Monroe, N.Y.). Ascencio hit a hard backhand behind Herons netminder Taryn Little.

Five minutes later, O'Connor scored the game-winner as a scramble ensued in front of the net off a penalty corner shot taken by Annie Kietzman. The host team finished the contest with a pair of goals 1:23 apart by Emily Atwan and Margaret McConnell.

Grant finished with 21 saves and was replaced by classmate Amy Hilton (Pittsburgh, Pa.) with 13:12 remaining. Hilton faced one shot and was successful in making the save. William Smith also split time in the pipes with Little and Chelsea Snyder. Little allowed both goals but did not make a save and Snyder was not asked to record a save either in 17:56 of second-half action.

Manhattanville (1-4, 0-0 Freedom) will remain at the William Smith Classic and face St. Lawrence tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m. William Smith (6-0) will host Franklin and Marshall in the finale of the classic at 3 p.m.