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GENEVA, N.Y. -- Host William Smith scored the final two goals of the game to defeat Nazareth 3-1 in a non-conference field hockey game. Junior
Tessa Knapp scored the Golden Flyers' lone goal just before halftime to temporarily tie the score, 1-1. Freshman
Sophia Rhoades the game with 16 saves in her first career start.
With the victory, the Herons improve to 2-0. Saturday's game against William Smith opened the season for the Golden Flyers. Nazareth will look to even its record Wednesday evening when the Golden Flyers travel to the University of Rochester for a 7 p.m. game.
After the Herons' Amy David opened the scoring in the 11th minute, Knapp slid a shot inside the right post to tie the game with 1:15 left in the first half. Just 14 seconds after Knapp's goal, however, Margaret McConnell reclaimed the lead for the Herons with a shot from about six yards out.
William Smith dominated Nazareth in the main statistical categories. The Herons finished with advantages in shots and corners, 28-4 and 11-3, respectively. Rhoades recorded seven saves in the first half and nine saves in the second to keep the Golden Flyers in the game.
Rhoades made a series of dramatic saves following a penalty corner. The Herons managed three rapid-fire shots from no more than 3 yards away from the goal, but Rhoades used her leg pads to block the first two and got her hand blocker on the third and best offering to thwart the scoring chance.
William Smith's tenacious defense stymied Nazareth's offensive attack throughout the game, especially in the second period. The Golden Flyers were only able to manage one shot in the final 35 minutes of play.
Taylor Cappello added an insurance goal with about 15 minutes remaining in regulation. In just two games, Cappello now has five goals. Nazareth's defense was able to keep her off the board most of the game before she finally scored on a rapid-fire sequence in front of the goal.