William Smith Soccer PSS Insert

WILLIAM SMITH HERONS

Division III Women’s Soccer NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

Half of Madeline Buckley’s team-high 10 goals were game winners this season, including the decisive scores against then No. 15 The College of New Jersey in the third round of the NCAA tournament and against then No. 2 Trinity (Texas) in the NCAA championship match.

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Division III Women’s Soccer

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2013

Herons win National Championship with 2-0 victory over Trinity

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PHOTOS BY LARRY RADLOFF/D3photography.com

a season-high nine saves to secure her William Smith fter an historic and record-breaking season, season record 18th shutout this year. the William Smith soccer team put the Dunay, who earned a spot on the NCAA Allfinishing touch on its national championship Tournament team, also holds the Heron season record run by shutting out the nation’s top scoring with 23 victories in goal this year. Defender Olivia Zitoli offense, Trinity (Texas) University, 2-0 at Toyota Field in ’14, forward Kara Shue ’17, midfielder Zoe Eth ’16, and San Antonio.

Longo joined Dunay on the NCAA Championship AllWilliam Smith capped its historic season with a Tournament Team. Zitoli was named the tournament’s 23-1-0 overall record. The Herons posted program Most Outstanding Defensive Player and Longo was records for wins in a season and shutouts in a season selected the Most Outstanding Offensive Player. with 21. William Smith did not allow a single goal in all “This is what we have been working for all season. six NCAA tournament victories, and allowed just six It’s the greatest feeling ever,” says Dunay. “It just goes to goals all season. The Herons earned 23 straight victories show that every single day of practice and every single and 16 straight shutouts. William Smith’s shutout streak day in the offseason and every day in the summer, all that which began back on Sept. 28, spanned 1,472 minutes hard work we put in – it pays off. The dynamics of this and seven seconds, another school record. team were just incredible. It goes to show that if you have It was the second NCAA Championship for the fight and if you have heart you can go far.”

Heron Soccer program and the 480th career win for The Herons gave second-ranked Trinity its first loss William Smith Head Coach Aliceann Wilber, the this season. William Smith held the Tigers, who entered winningest coach in Division III women’s soccer. Under the championship with the nation’s No. 1 scoring offense, Wilber’s leadership, the 1988 Herons defeated UC San scoreless for the first time since 2011.

Diego 1-0 in triple overtime to win the national title back on Nov. 13, 1988.

This time around, William Smith topped Capital 1-0 in its national semifinal match on Friday, Dec. 6, notching the game-winning goal just 6:52 into the match. In the national championship, Madeline Buckley ’15 scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 11th minute.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to be national champions,” says Buckley.

“To be able to cap our season this way and with a team that has a lot of heart brings unreal emotions.”

Krista Longo ’15 added an The Heron sideline erupts in celebration as time expires in the NCAA Championship match. insurance goal in the second half.

William Smith defeated No. 2 Trinity (Texas) 2-0 on goals from Madeline Buckley ’15 and Goalkeeper Chelsea Dunay ’14 made Krista Longo ’15.

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PHOTOS BY LARRY RADLOFF/D3photography.com

Just 10:22 into the match Buckley gave William Smith a 1-0 advantage. Shue pushed a pass from the left side of the box to find Buckley streaking down the middle.

With the Trinity keeper charging out to meet her, Buckley fired home her shot from right out in front into the left side of the goal. It was Buckley’s team-leading 10th goal this season, and Shue’s team-high 11th assist.

Trinity’s best scoring chance of the first half came 17:42 before the break, when the Tigers earned a corner kick. The ball was lofted into the box by Kirby Peddicord.

Kelsey Falcone received it about six yards out right in front of the goal, but blasted her shot just over the crossbar.

Longo put the Herons up 2-0 in the 52nd minute.

She settled the ball in the box, beat a defender and drilled a shot on goal. It banged off the underside of the crossbar and fell over the goal line. Buckley was there to ensure it was a goal, sending the ball into the back of the net, but it turned out to not be necessary, as Longo was credited with the unassisted tally. It was her second

Back Olivia Zitoli ’14 and the Heron defense did not allow a goal in the final three months of the season. For her stellar defensive play, Zitoli was named the NSCAA National Player of the Year.

goal in as many days, as she chipped in the game winner in William Smith’s national semifinal victory. It was Longo’s eighth goal this season.

Trinity had another chance to get on the scoreboard with just under 24 minutes left in the game. The Tigers launched a free kick deep into the box and through a

Division III Women’s Soccer

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

crowd in front of the goal, but Dunay made the vertical leap to get her hands on the ball and deny the Tigers’ scoring chance.

Minutes later the Herons almost took a 3-0 lead.

Longo broke through the Trinity defense for a one-onone with the Tigers’ keeper Devan Osegueda. Osegueda came rushing out of the goal to just barely beat Longo to the ball and knock it over the right sideline. Osegueda finished with four saves.

The Heron defense continued to dominate in the national championship match as it has done so many times this season. William Smith blocked nine shots in the match. The Tigers finished with a 24-12 advantage in shots. Each team earned three corners.

William Smith’s three seniors, Zitoli, Dunay and Kim Knefel ’14, capped their Heron careers in the best possible fashion. In their four years on the team, William Smith notched a 75-7-8 overall record (.878). No group of Heron soccer seniors have graduated with more

• 23-1-0 overall season record • 23 straight victories • 16 straight shutouts, a school record and the third longest streak in NCAA history • 480th career win for Head Coach Aliceann Wilber, the winningest coach in Division III women’s soccer wins, fewer losses or a higher win percentage. In NCAA Division III tournament play, the seniors were 15-2-1, advancing to the championship round three times and earning a national championship. ● — Paige Mullin

Krista Longo ’15 launches a shot that just cleared the outstretched hand of Trinity goalkeeper Devan Osegueda. The ball ricocheted off the crossbar and landed in the goal to give William Smith a 2-0 lead in the national championship game. Longo, who also scored the Heron game winner in the semifinals, was named the Most Outstanding Offensive Player of the Championship. (Photos by Larry Radloff/D3photography.com)

Score!

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WILLIAM SMITH HERONS

OFFENSE

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he Long Road Back The 2013 Heron soccer team proved they were truly motivated towards a common goal – a national championship. For forward Krista Longo ’15 and midfielder Dineo Mmutla ’15 that force pushing them to succeed this season was fueled by spending time away from the soccer field last fall.

Longo tore her ACL during spring practice in April 2012, while Mmutla spent the majority of last year battling a frustrating knee injury.

Longo had surgery after returning home following final exams in May of 2012. She rehabbed all summer and during the fall semester, on her own and during team practices. Mmutla’s route was different. After suffering physical pain from her injury and dealing with the overwhelming mental pain of not being able to execute the kind of soccer she wanted, she decided her best option was to give her body a break. Mmutla ended her season after playing in four games in 2012. She traveled home to South Africa over the summer and her sabbatical proved extremely beneficial.

“Being injured last year was really tough,” says Longo. “Not being able to play at all made me very anxious to play this season. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy coming back from such a major injury but I knew I could do it. I worked with the athletic trainers while the rest of my team was practicing every day. I worked even harder because I knew this season would be an important one and I wanted to contribute in every way possible.”

And contribute she did. Longo played in all 24 games and ranked second on the team with eight goals.

She was selected to the NCAA All-Tournament Team and was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player after producing the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Capital in the national semifinals and scoring the Herons’ second goal in the 2-0 national championship win.

This year Mmutla returned to the soccer field refreshed and motivated. “This season I wanted to accomplish things that I’ve never accomplished before.

I’ve always been happy to play soccer, but this season I was eager to accomplish greater things with the team.

I was mentally ready. I was planning to do things I was not able to do while I was away, which is to have fun and enjoy the game while making my way to Texas.”

Mmutla took on the role the team needed her to play, starting 22 games at the midfield position, and playing a greater part in the defensive unit. Mmutla also stepped up offensively when the Herons needed her. She scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Ithaca in the NCAA tournament sectional finals, securing a trip to San Antonio for William Smith.

Mmutla garnered All-Liberty League first team honors and was named to the NSCAA All-East Region first team this year.

“Winning the National Championship has been a huge goal for both the team and me every year,” says Longo. “It’s pretty unbelievable to say that we are National Champions. We’ve accomplished so much and worked so hard this season. This team was something special this year, and I couldn’t have asked for a better family to win a national title with than these girls.” ● — Paige Mullin

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Division III Women’s Soccer

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS

DEFENSE

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efense Wins Championships. It’s cliché, but it’s cliché for a reason, because it’s true.

No team in the nation registered a higher percentage of shutouts this year (.875) than William Smith. The Herons logged a program record 21 shutouts in 24 matches, one shy of the NCAA record for shutouts in a season. William Smith produced 16 consecutive clean sheets to end the campaign, the third longest shutout streak in Division III women’s soccer history.

The heart and soul of this stingy crew were Chelsea Dunay ’14 and Olivia Zitoli ’14. A third team All-American, Dunay broke school records for wins in a season (23) and solo shutouts (18) as a goalkeeper while Zitoli earned first team All-America honors as the team’s center back. Additionally, Zitoli became just the second Heron to win the NSCAA National Player of the Year award.

The starting back line also included Brenna Kincaid ’15, a converted forward, playing her first season as a back, Emma Diehl ’17 and Bridget Westerman ’17. But it wasn’t just the starting five or even the defensive reserves, it was a whole team effort on defense for William Smith.

“Our team was dedicated to discipline this season,” says Zitoli. “It started with the forwards. They applied pressure up top and made it easier for the midfielders to defend, which made our job easier in the back. It wasn’t just the back line it was the whole 11 defending.”

Just two games into the season, William Smith was 1-1-0 and had given up four goals. Not exactly a prelude to a defensive juggernaut. The Herons gave fans an inkling of what they were truly capable of in the third match of the year against then top ranked and defending national champion Messiah College. The Falcons had never lost to the Herons and had eliminated William Smith in each of its past three national semifinal

appearances.

On Sept. 7, that all changed.

Messiah enjoyed an 11-5 advantage in shots, but the Herons defended exceptionally well, only allowing five shots on frame and all five were stopped by Dunay. All William Smith needed was one goal. In the 31st minute, Zoe Eth ’16 headed in a volley from Diehl to send the Herons to a 1-0 victory.

“During the week leading up to the Messiah game, we focused and trained a lot on defense and when we played them, everything just seemed to click,” says Dunay. “As we progressed through the season, our defense became stronger and stronger in every game.”

As the shutouts mounted, it would stand to reason that so did the pressure, but neither Dunay nor Zitoli give any hint that it was anything more than one game. Ninety minutes.

“We never really talked about the streak,” says Zitoli. “We were just committed to doing what we had to do to win. And we won a lot of games 1-0.”

In fact, 10 games fell in the Herons’ favor by a 1-0 count. And William Smith did it against a pressure cooker of a schedule, playing 11 of its 23 matches against teams ranked in the top 25 in the nation. The NCAA rated the Heron slate as the fourth toughest in the nation.

“I believe our defense was at our absolute best in the national championship game,” said Dunay. “I’ve never seen the team throw themselves at the ball to block shots, breakdown when defending, tackle, and fight so hard like we did in the national championship game. We fought and played our hearts out on that field.” ● — Ken DeBolt

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WILLIAM SMITH HERONS

Coaching a Championship Team

PHOTO BY GREGORY SEARLES ’13

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he only person to stand at the helm of the William Smith soccer program, Aliceann Wilber P’13 is without question one of the top coaches in collegiate soccer. In 34 seasons, her teams have compiled 480 wins, 125 losses, 54 ties, 11 Liberty League Championships, 24 NCAA tournament appearances, and two national championships. The five-time NSCAA National Coach of the Year has more career wins than any of her peers in Division III women’s soccer and trails only North Carolina’s Anson Dorrance and Connecticut’s Len Tsantiris in career wins in all levels of NCAA women’s soccer.

Shortly after guiding the Herons to the 2013 NCAA Championship with a school record 23 consecutive wins, including 16 consecutive shutouts, Wilber sat down with Director of Athletic Communications Ken DeBolt to discuss William Smith’s historic season.

President Mark D. Gearan and the Geneva and HWS communities turned out in droves to welcome home Head Soccer Coach Aliceann Wilber and the national champion Herons.

Q/A: Coach Wilber Q: Describe what it was like to win a second national championship.

AA: Having been on the national committee for the last four years, I’ve watched other teams put those hats on. I remember thinking last year, “I just want my team to be able to put those hats on.” That kind of euphoric moment, when they all celebrated was pretty cool. The coaches, however, we were just exhausted. Probably relieved, and exhausted, and excited.

When we got to Geneva and there was that outpouring of support from the HWS and Geneva community with the police and fire department escort from the Thruway to campus, that was just fun. And the hundreds who welcomed us back singing, “We are the Champions” in Scandling… just having the entire team on the same level of excitement and thrill ride, you can’t ask for more than that.

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Q: Which season was more challenging for you as a coach, 1988 or 2013?

AA: There are real parallels. Both teams were on autopilot for much of the season.

The team carried the team. The coaches didn’t have to carry the team. There were a lot of very, very good teams this year in DIII women’s soccer. So probably, the depth and the parity and the level of really good teams were harder this year.

Division III Women’s Soccer

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2013

Q: You just won your fifth

from stopper-sweeper with more space to zonal defending where you can use a lot more team defending to stifle an opponent’s weapons like that. I think one of the strengths for us this year was that we couldn’t be so keyed in on one individual.

Kara Shue, early on, took a lot of opponents by surprise because she’s so quick. Once people figured out how Kara liked to play, they could focus on neutralizing her attacking attributes. We needed to have other options. We got big game-winning goals Assistant Coach Keith Perrigo, Assistant Coach BreLynn Nasypany ’11, President Mark D. Gearan, Head Coach Aliceann Wilber, Assistant Coach Chas from different kids, Shay, Allen, Assistant Coach Dave Karweck and William Smith Athletic Director Deb Ella against Ithaca, Dineo Steward stand with the championship trophy. against Vassar. Maddie was steady all season. I was really happy with her final game. She was very strong in the final. Krista the same way.

Q: At the start of this year, you had to replace defenders Kelsey Hill ’13 (graduation) and Jocelyn Rapp ’14 (injury) Q: For the second time in your career, you have the national and then in the preseason you lost Emma Bracken ’16 and player of the year on your team in Olivia Zitoli. She spoke at Zoe Jackson Gibson ’16 to injuries. With those losses, did the NCAA Championship banquet about doing away with the you anticipate being able to put together one of the best “I and the me” and embracing the “us and the we,” so this defenses in NCAA history? is a tough question, what was her role on this team and its AA: Absolutely not. Jocelyn was at the top of her game when success? she got hurt in Barcelona and Zoe and Emma were playing AA: Immense. I don’t think she led from a position of power, so well at the end of last spring. When you factor those three by saying “I’m a senior. I’m the one.” She’s a very intelligent plus Kelsey, that’s a ton to absorb as a team. We set this individual and she knows that you have more to gain by having very difficult schedule to bump up our strength and we had everyone invested and bringing people in. She’s very good to start all over in the back. Given the huge turnover and about that. She has a powerful persona and a lot of balance in disappointment that we weren’t going to be who we thought her perspective. She conveys that with poise and equanimity. we were going to be in terms of maturity, no. I never. I’ll say She has a commanding presence and is commanding in a way this: that was Dave Karweck’s main focus. He’s not the only that people want to follow. She got people moving in the right one with input in the defense, but that is his specialty. I give direction.

Dave a lot of credit. He pays attention to the little things. He was a football coach before he was a soccer coach and I think Q: You’ve said this team felt like it had a nation behind it. that ability to break film down and break movements down AA: I think one of the most profound effects for me was the was critical. It’s a compilation of the little things that made it support on social networking. Heron Nation became a hashtag. an airtight defense.

Social networking builds this connectedness that we didn’t have before. It marshals people’s attention and emotions and Q: Offensively there was a lot of balance this year with 16 puts things in motion. We had all of this weight behind us. It players scoring at least one goal. Would you rather have an has been unbelievable. We cannot for one second say that we offense like that where you don’t know who or if you’ll get got that national championship alone. In the team room before goals from, or 1988, when you had Ann Haggerty who was games, we were reading quotes from Facebook and Twitter, the main focus of opponents? texts and e-mails. This was a nation’s, the Heron Nation’s, AA: Since 1988, the general style of defending has changed championship. ● National Coach of the Year Award. What does that award mean to you?

AA: It means that I don’t want to tell anybody, because it sounds like it’s all about me and it’s not.

I feel really embarrassed by that. I don’t feel comfortable having it all about Wilber is this or that because it really is the six of us. We’re in it together.

We’re a team. Chas [Allen], Keith [Perrigo], Dave [Karweck], BreLynn [Nasypany ’11], and Chris [Teerlinck ’93], we’re a team of coaches. No one individual accomplishment supersedes what everybody else has put in to make it happen.

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WILLIAM SMITH HERONS

The William Smith soccer team joined “Courtney’s Crew,” drafting Courtney Wagner onto the Heron roster as a part of Team IMPACT.

“Courtney is a perfect fit for the William Smith team and her teammates have truly made her feel like a member of the team.” – Payson Sword, case manager, Team IMPACT

The Most Enthusiastic Fan

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hen the William Smith soccer team scored its winning goal to become national champions, among the most enthusiastic of the fans watching from the bleachers in San Antonio was Courtney Wagner, a 16-year old diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. Having joined the team earlier this season as the Herons’ Team IMPACT teammate (Team IMPACT is a non-profit that works to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses), she accompanied them to Texas to take part in the whole experience – the win was just the icing on the cake.

“Words cannot even explain how shocked I was when the team called me and asked me to come to Texas with them,” says Wagner, who is a varsity soccer player for Canandaigua Academy. “It was an experience that I will never forget.”

For her part, Wagner provided a source of inspiration and strength to the team throughout the competition.

In an address to the eight teams that competed in the semifinals, Olivia Zitoli ’14 thanked Wagner for her role, saying “Courtney has brought us so many smiles and showed us courage and strength that many of us have never seen before.”

“Our integrity as a group is that it’s not just about us as a team; it’s about HWS, the Geneva community, Courtney and her family, and just doing things for other people,” says Madeline Buckley ’15, who coordinates the team’s involvement with Team IMPACT. Payson Sword, case manager from Team IMPACT, praised the team’s support. “It has been incredible to see this

relationship grow. The National Championship couldn’t have come home with a better team!”

Gratitude was also extended from Courtney’s mother, Jamie Wagner. “I will be grateful forever for Courtney’s involvement with the team, for Maddy for being part of Team IMPACT and getting William Smith matched up with Courtney, for Aliceann who embraced the idea and welcomed Courtney to all team events with open arms, and for all of the girls and coaches who made Court one of the group.”

During the championship weekend in San Antonio, the Herons also enjoyed the opportunity to work with Special Olympics athletes. Together the Herons and the Special Olympians completed a service project at Lady Bird Johnson Park followed by soccer-related activities.

“It was amazing to give back to a community outside of our own. Just seeing the Special Olympics athletes smile made this experience one we’ll never forget,” says Zoe Jackson Gibson ’16.

Annually, the Herons are involved in every HWS Day of Service and the Penguin Plunge benefit for Embrace Your Sisters, an organization that gives emergency funding to families affected by breast cancer. This year, the team also took part in the Glow Run and, in the fall semester, often “raided” the residence halls to collect water bottles to raise money for Embrace Your Sisters. The Herons have donated money to the B+ Foundation, whose focus is helping kids fight cancer.

Individually, a number of players volunteer with Happiness House, the Community Lunch Program, and more. ● — Cindy McVey

Division III Women’s Soccer

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2013

Bridging Athletics and Academics

PHOTOS BY GREGORY SEARLES ’13

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s the Faculty-Athletics Fellow for Associate Professor William Smith Soccer, for the past Kevin Dunn is the six years Associate Professor of Faculty-Athletic Political Science Kevin Dunn has been Fellow for the Heron soccer team. In cheering on the Herons at home games addition to offering and on the road. Dunn even traveled support and with the team to San Antonio this year, academic advice, his third trip to the finals in support he’s also willing to role up his sleeves of the team, and was on the sidelines and shovel snow when the Herons clinched the NCAA off Boswell Field to Division III Women’s Soccer National make sure the game Championship. Dunn is known on gets played. campus as an expert on politics and international relations in Africa, but he’s also known for wearing William Smith soccer T-shirts on game days.

“There’s one of two lucky T-shirts that I wear for every game,” Dunn explains. “I was wearing both of the T-shirts during the entire run in the playoffs and during the National Championship tournament. It’s all part of my way of showing support.”

Dunn’s involvement with game-day traditions is emblematic of just how committed to the team he has become In 2009, Dunn received the Faculty Appreciation Award over the years. As the Faculty-Athletics Fellow, Dunn bridges bestowed by the William Smith Student-Athlete Advisory the William Smith soccer players’ academic experience with Committee. In his office, there’s a team-made poster that their lives on the field, acting as both advocate and mentor. reads, “We Love You, Kevin Dunn.” He’s honored to have In San Antonio, Dunn was an important link between HWS received both. faculty and the Herons as they battled through an exhilarating “I could not think of a more dedicated person than tournament some 1,500 miles from Geneva.

Professor Dunn,” says Madeline Buckley ’15. “He’s been with “As a faculty member, it’s been great to be able to stand us at every game, and we wouldn’t have it any other way, so with the coaches and be at the bench to cheer on the students it made sense for him to come to Texas with us and congratulate the team for their because if he wasn’t with us on that journey, our accomplishments,” says Dunn, team would not have been complete. There is no who chairs the political science Heron soccer team without him. It’s that simple.” department and has been a member Though modest about his own role, Dunn of the faculty since 2001. “It lets the emphasizes the impact of the Faculty-Athletics students know that the faculty are Fellow program, which matches faculty members there to support them in what they are with all of the Hobart and William Smith varsity doing out on the field.” teams. Established in 2006, the program fosters Dunn has seen the team’s meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships triumphs and challenges firsthand, between students and faculty members. offering advice and encouragement

“It has been a humbling experience for me when needed and attending practices to see what the students of the William Smith and games. soccer team have accomplished,” Dunn says.

“It’s about being engaged and “Every year I am grateful for this opportunity to see how the caring,” says Dunn. “A number of players have reached out HWS liberal arts education is manifesting in their lives.” ● to have conversations about how to navigate and balance — Steve Bodnar academic and personal issues. They seem to be very receptive to the idea that there’s a faculty member who has a connection with them beyond the classroom.”

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WILLIAM SMITH HERONS

Reflections

THE ENTIRE BUCKLEY FAMILY INCLUDING (L-R): DILLON, FRANCES, MADDY ’15, REBECCA, JERRY P’15, AND ANNE P’15.

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s the clock ticked off its final seconds in San Antonio, I thought back to the hundreds of soccer matches I’ve watched our daughter Madeline play over the past 17 years. But my most vivid memory that afternoon had nothing to do with soccer. There was Maddy, not yet 4 years old, kneeling on the sidewalk at our home in Wilmington, Del., gripping a crescent wrench to remove the training wheels from her first bicycle. She was not just ready to ride. She was determined to ride.

I’m certain each of the members of the William Smith soccer team has also had a “training wheels” moment somewhere along the way. And because they were all so determined, we can all be so proud.

“We,” of course, includes their parents, who followed them as often and as far as we could. We arrived early to the hill overlooking Cozzens Field, and stayed late to tailgate in the lobby of Bristol Gymnasium, lingering to be with our daughters, and with each other. We programmed our GPS to Fredonia, Canton, Poughkeepsie and Rochester.

Finally, filled with nervous anticipation, we descended on San Antonio and held our own against the hometown team’s much larger contingent. It’s a special bond we’ll always share.

“We” includes the siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, cousins, friends, faculty and staff, and also the soccer alums and their families. Near or far, wherever they watched or listened, the sheer joy they felt when the game ended was a fitting reward for their loyal support. That passion is embodied by Amy and Jack Perry P’89, whose daughter Julie had starred on the 1988 National Championship team and is now a missionary in Chad. They drove from Colorado to Texas to be with their beloved coach, “AA,” and root for another generation of Herons. After the game, when we gathered at the team hotel for pizza. Amy and Jack,

in their 25-year-old white hoodies with green lettering, reminded us of the abundantly rich community that is William Smith Soccer.

“We” also includes the citizens of Geneva. The image of the Geneva fire and police departments escorting the Onondaga Coach down Pulteney Street on Sunday evening is especially meaningful for my family and me. I was born and raised in Geneva, just a few blocks from campus. The Colleges have been a part of my extended family’s lives for generations. Now, as an HWS parent, I am blessed to be part of both communities. So as we celebrated in San Antonio, I thought of my fellow fans from the hill, the native sons and daughters as well as those who have come to call Geneva home, all of whom I knew were also reveling in the thrill of victory.

I share President Mark Gearan’s fondness for the “sense of place” that is so vital to a community. A national championship alone can’t create that sense.

HWS and Geneva had it before our Herons headed for San Antonio. It’s just stronger since they returned.

— Jerry Buckley P’15

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s the Director of William Smith Athletics, I take great pride in the fact that approximately 250 Heron student-athletes earn an average 3.4 grade point each semester.

Additionally, our Heron teams engage in over 1,200 hours of DEB STEWARD community service while also achieving a high level of success in competition.

Since the early 1970s, we have enjoyed notable success. Our current 11 teams have received 141 invitations to NCAA or other postseason competition. We have won 46 conference championships. And, we now

have won seven National Championships!

The highest measure of success in college athletics is demonstrated by winning a National Championship. It is a goal of most college athletes and coaches; however, in our athletic department our emphasis is on the process, not the outcome.

The 2013 William Smith soccer team, led by Aliceann Wilber, the winningest women’s soccer coach in NCAA Division III, made a commitment to the process. The coaching staff was committed to recruiting, teaching, preparing, mentoring and leading the 2013 team. From knowledge gained through our Peak Performance Plan leadership and life skills development program, the student-athletes understood the harmful effects of alcohol on their athletic performance and committed to being “dry” throughout the season. Many Heron teams make that same commitment.

At the Fall 2013 Peak Performance Plan kickoff, Dr. James Maas, a sleep and performance expert, encouraged our student-athletes to get “at least one more hour of sleep” and optimally 9.25 hours of sleep each night. Coaches were encouraged to halt or minimally reduce early morning practices. In a program rich with tradition, these are the little things that can make good teams great. The Heron soccer team committed to sleep schedules, fewer morning practices and pregame naps.

While the team began the season with a loss to The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and gave up four goals in that opening weekend, the true sign of great leadership is displayed when adversity hits. With determined team leaders and a veteran coaching staff, the team finished with a clean sheet for the last 16 games of the season.

THANK YOU so much Heron soccer family and the HWS community! Your support was the wind beneath this Heron team. I am so proud of the strong history of success of William Smith Athletics. Success on and off the field. This team represented William Smith Athletics, HWS and the history and tradition of William Smith soccer with great pride. You all have played a part in the team holding the 2013 National Champions trophy high above their heads. From the bottom of my heart and from a team that played with heart, THANK YOU! — Deb Steward, Athletic Director, William Smith College

Division III Women’s Soccer

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2013

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he William Smith soccer team is THE BEST. That’s going to be true for a whole 12 months, count ’em, year! But the reality is that they are DEAN SUSANNE MCNALLY ALWAYS the best. And I have known that for a very long time.

In 1989 I was the sole faculty director of a group of over 40 HWS students on a spring term abroad in what was still the Soviet Union. One day the phone on my desk rang and a heavily accented young man’s voice said, “The medical students of Irkutsk State University challenge the American visitors to a game of soccer.”

“Challenge accepted,” I replied. The next day they arrived in ambulances to take us all to the field. When they saw that several of Coach Wilber’s best were part of our team they balked. “We can’t play with girls.” “It won’t be fair.” “The girls will get hurt.” I did not need to say a word. The Hobart students said, laughing, “Well, you’ll have to catch them first.” And finally, “We play together or not at all.”

When the game began, it turned out that the William Smith students were among the best players on the field, and after a few minutes the Russian players started getting angry, and aggressive.

Dealing with women their own age as equals was clearly difficult for them. They just really did not know how to do that. The game did not go amicably and in the end each side claimed victory.

What I learned then was that William Smith soccer players are strong and fast and skilled and work with the team. Even more important, they are fearless. What a wonderful set of skills for young women to cultivate. And I also learned that the excellence of William Smith athletes is positive for their Hobart friends. What I saw demonstrated on a muddy field in Siberia, of all places, is that the coordinate system is good for everyone.

So cheer for Coach Blue Eyes Wilber.

Cheer for Athletic Directer Deb Steward.

And cheer, most of all, for the 2013 National Champion William Smith Soccer Team!

— Susanne McNally, Dean, William Smith College

1988-2013: A Generation Apart, United in Excellence

A

generation may separate the national championship teams of 1988 and 2013, but the connections between the two were especially evident just before the 2013 team stepped on Toyota Field to play the national championship match.

In the locker room in San Antonio, the coaching staff gathered the team to read a message from Vida Donohue Shaver ’91, a goalkeeper in the 1988 national title match. The message read in part, “There are so many parallels between the ’88 and ’13 teams, but here is what I know without reading Twenty-five years ago, the Herons hoisted Coach any stats ... There is no coach Aliceann Wilber onto their shoulders to celebrate the that is better than Aliceann school’s first national championship in a team sport.

Wilber at extracting the most out of every player on a team.

This Heron squad has what it takes … So this afternoon know that you are prepared, be amazed by your teammates, see your opportunities, visualize the win and celebrate your victory! We are behind you!”

“The great link between the two teams is leadership,” says Wilber. “In 1988, we had superb leadership. We lost in the finals the year before and that team said, ’we are winning next year’ and they never looked back. The team this year has also been a very forward thinking group, again with tremendous leadership, balance and perspective.”

Both rosters also featured a large and very talented group of first-years – 14 on this year’s roster and nine in 1988.

The 1988 and 2013 teams also boasted some of the stingiest defenses in Heron soccer history. The 2013 Herons allowed just six goals all year, set a school record with 21 shutouts, and capped the year with 16 straight clean sheets. In 1988, William Smith allowed just four goals all season and earned 16 shutouts on its way to the title. The Herons posted a run of 12 straight shutouts spanning from the fourth game of the year to just before the NCAA tournament. William Smith recorded 0.19 goals against average in 1988 which is tied for third in program history. The 1988 squad outscored its opposition 54-4, while this year’s Herons outscored their competitors 53-6.

“It’s incredibly thrilling and fun to get to watch this happen,” says Ann Haggerty ’92, a forward from the 1988 William Smith soccer team. “Since we have had a common experience as Herons playing for Aliceann, it’s cool to both support current players and also take a trip down memory lane in a way that brings it all together. But I imagine this is all even cooler, in a way, for all the excellent, passionate, dedicated players who didn’t happen to be on the ’88 or ’13 teams but who wanted just as badly to bring the same thing home to William Smith. It’s a way for all alumnae to collectively celebrate the relationships that have been built and the hard work and sweat they put into the program, and it’s a way to celebrate and thank Aliceann for all that she has given to us a student-athletes and women.” ● — Paige Mullin

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WILLIAM SMITH HERONS Cheers from the Sidelines of Social Media

A

s the William Smith soccer team warmed up for its National Championship match against Trinity University, most of its fans were more than 1,500 miles away. However, the distance between San Antonio and Geneva was only a Tweet or Facebook post away for the Herons.

With encouraging words pouring in from across the country, alums posted pictures of their televisions tuned into the game, while others excitedly Tweeted the Herons’ first goal. The basketball teams, the football team, and many other athletes – Statesmen and Herons alike – joined in the phalanx of fans, voicing their pride in their classmates and in the Colleges.

Former William Smith soccer players provided particularly powerful support to their sisters in green and white, offering advice and spirited cheers from the sidelines of social media.

When the Herons took the field on Dec. 8, they entered the arena with the support of an entire network of thousands of fans –family, friends, parents and alums – both in the stands and around the world.

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Division III Women’s Soccer

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2013

On behalf of the entire Heron soccer team, Aliceann Wilber offers her thanks to William Smith fans near and far at HWSAthletics.com/thankyou

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2013 William Smith Soccer Roster

Chelsea Dunay

Leah Connerty

G • SR Cicero, N.Y. Cicero-North Syracuse

F • FY Boxford, Mass.

Masconomet Regional

Maddy Devereaux

Caitlyn Mitchell

Bridget Westerman D • FY Massapequa, N.Y. Kellenberg Memorial

M • FY Fayetteville, N.Y. Jamesville Dewitt

M • JR Auburn, N.Y. Auburn

Olivia Zitoli D • SR Walpole, Mass.

Millis

Brenna Kincaid

Shay Callahan

Emma Diehl

D • JR Fayetteville, N.Y. Fayetteville-Manlius

D • FY Holland Patent, N.Y. Holland Patent

D • FY Rochester, N.Y. Brighton

Molly Dietrich

Kara Shue F • FY Penfield, N.Y. Fairport

Kim Knefel

D • FY Gilford, N.H. Gilford

Ella McMackin F • FY Walpole, Mass.

Walpole

MaryClaire Pelletier F • JR Sutton, Mass.

Worcester Academy

F • SR Orange, Calif.

Rosary

Nicki Johnson D • SO Canton, Mass.

The Rivers School

Zoe Eth M • SO Baltimore, Md. Worcester Academy

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Madeline Buckley F • JR Wilmington, Del. Archmere Academy

MacKenzie Smith M • FY N. Las Vegas, Nev. Northwest Career & Technical Academy

Division III Women’s Soccer

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS Coaches

Lauren Randaccio F • FY Williamsville, N.Y. Nichols School

Evie Manning F • FY Lytham, England St. Bedes

Head Coach: Aliceann Wilber

Assistant Coach:

Riley McCarthy

Sarah Freer

D • JR Windham, Maine Windham

M • FY Westfield, N.J. Westfield

Chas Allen

Assistant Coach:

Krista Longo

Olivia Biles

F • JR Morristown, N.J. Villa Walsh Academy

G • FY Andover, Mass.

Andover

Dineo Mmutla M • JR Johannesburg, South Africa The Culver Academies

Amanda Faherty D/M • JR Southborough, Mass.

Algonquin Regional

Keith Perrigo

Assistant Coach:

BreLynn Nasypany ’11

Emma Bracken

Zoe Jackson Gibson

D • SO East Aurora, N.Y. East Aurora

Assistant Coach:

Dave Karweck

D • SO Amherst, N.Y. Nichols School

Courtney Wagner Allie Flaherty D • FY South Burlington, Vt. South Burlington

Team Impact Farmington, N.Y. Canandaigua Academy

Assistant Coach:

Chris Teerlinck ’93

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2013 William Smith Soccer COMBINED TEAM STATISTICS - ALL GAMES RECORD ALL GAMES CONFERENCE

OVERALL

HOME

AWAY

NEUTRAL

23-1

14-0

7-1

2-0

8-0

4-0

4-0

0-0

3-1

2-0

NON-CONFERENCE 15-1 10-0

! !

% %

* * * * * * *

* & & ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

2013 Aug 30 Aug 31 Sep 07 Sep 14 Sep 15 Sep 21 Sep 22 Sep 28 Oct 04 Oct 05 Oct 12 Oct 18 Oct 19 Oct 26 Oct 29 Nov 02 Nov 06 Nov 09 Nov 16 Nov 17 Nov 23 Nov 24 Dec 06 Dec 07

OPPONENT at #24 The College of NJ vs Stevens #1 MESSIAH #25 ROCHESTER #5 ITHACA at Fredonia State at Pitt-Bradford at #22 St. Lawrence at Vassar at Bard UNION RENSSELAER #16 SKIDMORE CLARKSON at Nazareth at #24 RIT VASSAR #24 RIT CABRINI ONEONTA #15 THE COLLEGE OF NJ #7 ITHACA vs Capital University vs #2 Trinity (Texas)

W/L L W W W W W W W W OT W W W W W W W W W W W W W W W

SCORE 1-2 6-2 1-0 3-0 1-0 6-0 3-0 3-2 1-0 3-0 1-0 2-0 2-0 1-0 2-0 2-0 3-0 1-0 5-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 1-0 2-0

ATTEND 112 75 150 100 100 40 65 318 165 150 100 100 150 100 358 100 100 150 301 239 325 150 881 -

TEAM STATISTICS

WSC

SHOT STATISTICS Goals-Shot attempts 53-439 6-170 Goals scored per game 2.21 0.25 Shot pct. .121 .035 Shots on goal-Attempts 220-439 82-170 SOG pct. .501 .482 Shots/Game 18.3 7.1 CORNER KICKS 152 46 PENALTY KICKS 2-3 0-0 PENALTIES Yellow cards 4 7 Red cards 0 0 ATTENDANCE Total 1815 1308 Dates/Avg Per Date 14/130 8/164 Neutral Site #/Avg 2/38

! TCNJ Classic; % Upstate Collegiate Cup; * Liberty League Game; & Liberty League Tournament; ^ NCAA tournament

2013 Liberty League Standings

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STANDINGS William Smith Skidmore RIT Vassar Union St. Lawrence RPI Clarkson Bard

OPP

|---------CONFERENCE----------| W- L- T Pct GF GA 8- 0- 0 1.000 15 2 6- 2- 0 .750 9 4 5- 2- 1 .688 14 10 4- 3- 1 .562 12 7 4- 4- 0 .500 5 5 3- 4- 1 .438 9 11 3- 5- 0 .375 10 9 1- 7- 0 .125 2 12 0- 7- 1 .062 2 18

|--------------OVERALL--------------| W- L- T Pct GF GA 23- 1- 0 .958 53 6 12- 4- 2 .722 23 9 12- 5- 4 .667 25 14 9- 8- 2 .526 28 25 9- 7- 0 .562 20 14 9- 4- 3 .656 25 15 8-8- 1 .500 28 18 5-12- 0 .294 9 22 6-11- 2 .368 23 28

Division III Women’s Soccer

NATIONAL CHAMPIONS Individual Stats ## PLAYER GP G A Pts Sh Shot% SOG SOG% GW PK-AT 14 Madeline Buckley 24 10 6 26 56 .179 35 .625 5 0-0 12 Kara Shue 24 6 11 23 64 .094 34 .531 3 0-0 23 Krista Longo 24 8 3 19 64 .125 40 .625 3 0-0 13 MaryClaire Pelletier 24 5 5 15 25 .200 16 .640 3 2-2 28 Evie Manning 21 4 0 8 23 .174 12 .522 0 0-0 24 Dineo Mmutla 22 3 2 8 44 .068 16 .364 2 0-1 11 Shay Callahan 21 3 2 8 14 .214 4 .286 1 0-0 20 MacKenzie Smith 24 1 6 8 28 .036 15 .536 1 0-0 8 Zoe Eth 24 3 1 7 15 .200 6 .400 1 0-0 10 Caitlyn Mitchell 23 3 0 6 11 .273 7 .636 1 0-0 18 Kim Knefel 16 2 0 4 7 .286 4 .571 0 0-0 3 Brenna Kincaid 24 1 2 4 30 .033 9 .300 1 0-0 2 Maddie Devereaux 18 1 2 4 8 .125 4 .500 0 0-0 17 Emma Diehl 24 0 3 3 6 .000 3 .500 0 0-0 21 Lauren Randaccio 14 1 0 2 11 .091 5 .455 0 0-0 7 Ella McMackin 22 1 0 2 11 .091 4 .364 1 0-0 16 Olivia Zitoli 24 1 0 2 5 .200 1 .200 1 0-0 29 Sarah Freer 17 0 2 2 8 .000 4 .500 0 0-0 15 Bridget Westerman 24 0 0 0 5 .000 1 .200 0 0-0 25 Zoe Jackson Gibson 7 0 0 0 2 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 31 Amanda Faherty 3 0 0 0 1 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 9 Leah Connnerty 2 0 0 0 1 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 30 Olivia Biles 2 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 27 Emma Bracken 1 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 26 Allie Flaherty 4 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 22 Riley McCarthy 4 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 9 Sam Sansone 2 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 6 Molly Dietrich 9 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 1 Chelsea Dunay 24 0 0 0 0 .000 0 .000 0 0-0 Total............... 24 53 45 151 439 .121 220 .501 23 2-3 Opponents........... 24 6 6 18 170 .035 82 .482 1 0-0 ## 1 30 30

GOALTENDERS GP Chelsea Dunay 24 Olivia Biles 2 Lelia Barden 1 Total...............

24 Opponents........... 24

Minutes GA 2136:46 6 16:15 0 7:51 0 2160:52 6 2160:52 53

Avg Save Pct 0.25 74 .925 0.00 0 .000 0.00 0 .000 0.25 76 .927 2.21 167 .759

GOALS BY PERIOD William Smith Opponents

1st 2nd OT Total 20 32 1 53 4 2 0 6

SHOTS BY PERIOD William Smith Opponents

1st 2nd OT Total 209 229 1 439 88 82 0 170

SAVES BY PERIOD William Smith Opponents

1st 2nd OT Total 35 41 0 76 71 96 0 167

CORNER KICKS BY PRD William Smith Opponents

1st 2nd OT Total 82 70 0 152 22 24 0 46

FOULS BY PERIOD William Smith Opponents

1st 2nd OT Total 84 100 0 184 69 77 1 147

W 23 0 0 23 1

L 1 0 0 1 23

T 0 0 0 0 0

Sho 18.3 0.2 0.1 21 0

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