SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – An early goal by junior forward Gabby Hyman held up, as the No. 17 Skidmore College Field Hockey team secured the second seed in the upcoming Liberty League tournament, defeating William Smith 1-0 at Wagner Park Sunday afternoon.
 
It was the Liberty League finale for both teams. Skidmore improves to 12-5 overall and wraps up the league schedule with a 6-1 record and the second seed. The Thoroughbreds will host third-seeded Vassar on Wednesday, Nov. 1. William Smith clinches the fourth seed with a 4-3 mark (12-4 overall) and they will head to top-seeded Rochester in the other semifinal matchup.
 
William Smith controlled the early part of the first half possession-wise, taking the game's first four shots. On William Smith's second penalty corner in the 25th minute, a shot by Hannah Wood was sent away by Skidmore goalkeeper Elizabeth Coughlin. Skidmore quickly transitioned from defense to offense, getting the ball to the speedy Hyman past half field.
 
Hyman got by a pair of Heron defenders to get the goalie on a one-on-one opportunity. Hyman hesitated, forcing William Smith goalie Emily King to commit early, and Hyman got by the goalie's glove side, punching the ball into cage at 24:23.
 
William Smith nearly tied things up at the tail end of the first half, but Coughlin made a solid stop on an Alexandra Frary shot off a Herons penalty corner, kicking the ball out of harm's way.
 
 The Skidmore defense stood tall in the second half, keeping William Smith off the board despite six penalty corners and six shots. With time ticking away in regulation, William Smith had the ball deep in Skidmore's zone in the final two minutes, but solid defensive stops by the Thoroughbreds' back line eventually forced a William Smith turnover, as the Thoroughbreds held the ball to end the contest.
 
William Smith outshot the Thoroughbreds by a 14-4 margin, and held a 10-2 penalty corner advantage. Coughlin earned her third shutout of the season, making eight saves. King made just one save in the loss.
 
The Thoroughbreds will host Utica on Wednesday in the regular season home finale. The game is slated for 3:30 p.m.