Anne McMahon set up the game's only goal, then blocked the potential tying goal as the University of Rochester defeated William Smith College, 1-0, in a meeting of Top 25 women's soccer teams at Edwin Fauver Stadium.
It was Rochester's third consecutive shutout to start the season. The Yellowjackets are 2-0-1. William Smith is 1-2. Both Heron losses have been by 1-0 counts. Rochester is ranked #8 nationally in the media poll conducted by D3Kicks.com. William Smith is ranked #20 in the same poll.
With the match just under one hour old, the Yellowjackets broke through. McMahon took a ball on the right to roughly six yards off the end line. She crossed it back to the top of the box. Ashley Weagraff ran in and hit a first-time shot into the lower left hand corner, just under the dive of Heron goalkeeper Nikki Dudley at 59:23.
With 7:17 left, the Yellowjackets counterattacked and nearly doubled the lead. Laura Bojko sent the ball over from left wing. Ali Streeter rushed in at the back post but couldn't control the shot and it sailed wide right.
Late William Smith pressure nearly produced the equalizer. The Herons earned back to back corner kicks. On the second one, with 4:40 to play, Leigh Williamson had a shot at the near (left) post. It was cleared off the line by McMahon.
Dudley finished with six saves for William Smith. Molly Leitch had two saves for Rochester.
The Yellowjackets and Herons split two matches last season – both by 1-0 scores. William Smith won the regular season match. Rochester won, 1-0, in the opening round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
