GENEVA, N.Y. -- William Smith scored in the 33rd minute to earn a 1-0 win against Oneonta State in an NCAA Division III championship second-round match played on Cozzens Field on Sunday afternoon. The Herons advanced to the third round where they will meet TCNJ next Saturday.
Oneonta finished its season with a 13-5-3 overall record. William Smith earned its 19th consecutive victory and 12th shutout in a row, improving to 19-1-0. The Herons will face TCNJ, who edged RIT 1-0 on Sunday afternoon in its second round game. It will be the second meeting between William Smith and the Lions this season. The teams met back on Aug. 30, and TCNJ earned a 2-1 victory.
In the 33rd minute, Oneonta goalie Rori Stark picked up a ball that was played back to her by a Red Dragon defender, because of the mistake, the Herons were awarded an indirect free kick. First-year Shay Callahan back passed to junior MaryClaire Pelletier at the top of the box and she drilled a shot into the top left corner of the goal. It was her fifth goal this season.
Earlier in the first half, it appeared the Herons had taken a 1-0 lead, on a shot by junior Krista Longo, but it was called off as William Smith was whistled offsides. In the 51st minute, Longo almost broke through again, however, her shot was booted away by an Oneonta defender.
The Red Dragons' best scoring chance came with 23:21 left in the match. Elise Moinzadeh came streaking into the box a half-step ahead of her Heron defender. Moinzadeh's shot from right in front went just wide of the left post and into the side of the net.
Senior goalie Chelsea Dunay played all 90 minutes in goal and made two saves. She earned her 14th shutout this season. Dunay now ranks second on the William Smith list for wins a season with 19 and is tied for second on the shutouts in a season list.
Stark played all 90 minutes in goal for Oneonta and made five saves. The Herons held a 20-3 advantage in shots and a 6-0 lead in corners. William Smith has notched 17 shutouts this season.
