SCHENECTADY, NY -- Junior midfielder Caitlin Cuozzo (Norfolk, MA/King Phillip Regional) scored 21:11 into the game for the only goal as Union College clinched first place in the Liberty League with a 1-0 victory over William Smith at College Park Saturday. With the win, Union improved to 11-2-3 overall and 6-0-1 in the league, and will host the Liberty League Championship Tournament November 3-4.

The Dutchwomen, ranked fifth in the NSCAA/adidsas Division III New York poll, has won five straight and is 10-0-2 in the last 12 games. William Smith, 10-4-1 overall and 6-1 in the league, lost for the first time since September 16 and was 9-0-1 in the last 10 games.

Cuozzo took a feed from the right side from Stephanie Cannulli (Howell, NJ/St. Rose) and punched a shot from 20 yards out high over goalkeeper Nikki Dudley (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango) with 23:49 remaining in the second half. It was her team best seventh goal of the season. Union had  5-0 shot advantage in the first stanza.

The Dutchwomen had a chance for insurance early in the second, but Stephanie Cronan's (Marblehead, MA/Marblehead) shot hit the right post. The shots were 5-5 in the second half, but the Herons had pressure and forced Mia Simone (Rexford, NY/Academy of the Holy Names) to make three saves in the final 12 minutes. She stopped Tracy Stankavage (Chittenango, NY/Chittenango), Rayza Santiago (Webster, NY/Webster Schroeder) and Leigh Williamson (Poughkeepsie, NY/Arlington), including Williamson's shot with 8:59 left in regulation. The Herons also had two corner opportunities in the second half.

Both goakeepers made four saves, and William Smith had four fouls while the Dutchwomen had three. Simone recorded her eighth shutout of the season.

Union hosts Nazareth on October 28 for the final game of the regular season, while William Smith ends the regular season October 28 at home against Ithaca before returning to Union for the league tournament.

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