William Smith hockey rallies past UMass Boston to advance to NEHC semifinals

The William Smith hockey team scored three goals in the third period as it rallied to defeat UMass Boston 4-1 in a New England Hockey Conference tournament quarterfinal contest at the Edward T. Barry Rink this evening. With the victory, the Herons advanced to the semifinal round for the fourth straight year.

Graduate student 

 led the way for the Herons, recording a goal and an assist. O’Neil was one of four different players to score for William Smith. Senior Erin Murray played all 60 minutes in goal. She made 20 saves.

Liz Kramp scored for the Beacons. Leah Bosch played just over 59 minutes in goal and made 27 saves.

Box Score

FOR THE RECORD

• William Smith, the fifth seed in the tournament, is now 11-13-2 overall this season.
• UMass Boston, the fourth seed, concludes its season with a 10-14-2 overall record.

KEY STATS

• William Smith finished the game with a 31-21 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Herons were 1-for-2 on the power play. The Beacons were 0-for-4 with the extra attacker.

MATCH SUMMARY

• William Smith finished the first period with a 10-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Herons controlled the opening 20 minutes but were unable to sneak a shot past Bosch.
• UMass Boston opened the scoring at the 6:45 mark of the first period. Kramp picked up a rebound and slipped a shot past Murray. Her fourth goal of the season was assisted by Allie Reifler and Emerson Homa.
• The Herons tied the game four minutes later. First-year Madeline Diglio wristed a a shot from the right faceoff circle past Bosch. Her second goal of the season was assisted by O’Neil.
• William Smith’s defense came up big late in the second period and early in the third, killing off a 5-on-3 advantage for UMass Boston.
• Thirty seconds after the second penalty expired, O’Neil scored the game-winning goal. She redirected a pass from first-year Abigail Schum past the UMass Boston goalie. It was her seventh goal of the season.
• Sophomore Laine Heiser extended William Smith’s lead to 3-1 with a power-play goal. Her first goal of the season was unassisted.
• Senior Lauren Legler rounded out the scoring at the 11:50 mark of the third period. Her fifth goal of the year was assisted by junior Seneca Urban.

UP NEXT 
William Smith will be back in action next Saturday, March 1, when it heads to Northfield, Vermont, to take on Norwich. The semifinal contest is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

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