GENEVA, N.Y.—The 11th-ranked Skidmore field hockey team  posted a 2-1 win over William Smith,  securing a spot in the Liberty League's four-team championship tournament. The Thoroughbreds improved to 11-3 overall, 5-1 in the conference, while the loss dropped the Herons to 8-7, 2-4, and eliminated them from postseason contention.

Skidmore held an 18-10 advantage in shots and took 13 penalty corners to William Smith's seven.

The Herons peppered the Thoroughbreds' goal with a flurry of shots in the fourth minute, but junior goalie Liz Catinella (Lincoln Sudbury/Sudbury, Mass.) made three saves in a span of five seconds to keep the match scoreless. 

In the 29th minute, junior Christine Kemp (Putnam Valley/Putnam Valley, N.Y.) redirected classmate Claire Superak's (Chapel Hill/Carrboro, N.C.) drive for her team-leading 15th goal of the season, putting the Thoroughbreds up 1-0. Skidmore took the final five shots of the first half, but could not add to its lead.

In the 40th minute, senior Casey Tang (Glenelg Country/Columbia, Md.) gave the Thoroughbreds some breathing room, batting home a rebound for her second goal of the season. 

"The Thoroughbreds were up to the task today against long time rival William Smith," said Skidmore coach Beth Hallenbeck.  "The team was tenacious on defense and relentless in their pursuit for possession.  They executed penalty corners well with both goals coming on corners,  Casey Tang played like a true veteran, leading the way for Skidmore.  Jackie Slocombe, Claire Superak, Lauren McCarthy and goaltender Liz Catinella also turned in solid performances to clinch the victory."

William Smith's  Annie Kietzman (Longmeadow/Longmeadow, Mass.) got the Herons on the scoreboard in the 60th minute, driving home a shot from the right wing.

William Smith got off two shots in the waning minutes of the contest, but one went wide of the cage and the other Catinella (4 saves) turned back to preserve the victory.

The Herons will close out their conference slate at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 25, when they host Union, while Skidmore square off with Rochester at the same time.

Goals by period       1  2  Tot

Skidmore............  1  1 -  2

William Smith.......  0  1 -  1

  1.  28:07 SKD Christine Kemp (15) (Claire Superak)

  2.  39:26 SKD Casey Tang (2) (unassisted)

  3.  59:29 WSC Annie Kietzman (8) (unassisted)

Shots: Skidmore 18, William Smith 10

Saves: Skidmore 4 (Liz Catinella 4), William Smith 9 (Taryn Little 9)