Box Score SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.-- The Skidmore College field hockey team used solid defense and timely second-half scoring to win its second straight and sixth Liberty League championship in the past seven years, 3-0 over William Smith.
 
The 12th ranked Thoroughbreds (17-3) will take a 10-game win streak into the NCAA Division III tournament that begins on Wednesday. The tournament field will be announced late Sunday night. Skidmore advanced to the 2013 NCAA semifinals.
 

Skidmore junior forward Dani DeGregory (Greenwich, N.Y., Greenwich) set the program single season scoring record with her 34th goal of the season. Heading into the NCAA tournament, she has 34 goals and 13 assists for 81 points, two more than Kelly Blackhurst scored last season.
 
The first half was a defensive battle with both teams limited on scoring opportunities.
 
The Herons withstood a Thoroughbred barrage to start the second half.  Skidmore had nine shots and five penalty corners in the first 10 minutes.  William Smith goalie Catherine Hare was able to turn back five shots on goal during the span to keep it 0-0.
 
Skidmore finally broke through when a rebound of a DeGregory shot went to Caroline Saros, who won a scramble in front to get it back to DeGregory who scored on the second chance.
 
Sam Skott made it 2-0 with her 21st goal of the season on a tip-in of a long DeGregory pass. The play started when DeGregory made a midfield stop and carried the ball up field to Mel Webb, who passed it back to DeGregory for the perfect pass to Skott.
 
Krista Lamoreaux scored an insurance goal when she lofted one from the outside that found its way in for the 3-0 final.
 
Skidmore outshot William Smith 22-4 and had a 10-2 penalty corner advantage.
 
Hare finished with 12 saves, while Amy Beck had two saves for her third solo shutout of the season.
 
"Our defense came through for us today," said Skidmore coach Beth Hallenbeck. "They held the line and limited their (William Smith) scoring chances."
 
Leading the defense in front of Webb was tournament MVP Jenn Hanks.  Hanks was a key reason the Herons only had two shots on goal.   The Thoroughbred defense only allowed five shots on goal the entire tournament.
 
Joining Hanks on the All-Tournament Team were teammates Sam Revera, DeGergory, Webb, Lamoreaux, Maia Paul, and Beck. All-Tournament honors for the Herons went to  Hanna Wood, Alessanadra Patrizio, Madison Finn, and Maura Moran.
 
Skidmore has won 26 home Liberty League games at Wagner Park and is unbeaten in nine home Liberty League playoff games.
 
The league championship is the ninth overall for the Thoroughbreds, who won three Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association titles before the name change to the Liberty League in 2004.