GENEVA, NY – Freshman Lauren Politz (Goffstown, NH) scored her first career goal in the 64^th minute to tie the game against 12^th-ranked William Smith at the Liberty League semifinals in Geneva, NY, but the Herons struck back less than three minutes later with the game-winner, advancing in the field hockey conference playoffs with a 2-1 win on their home turf Friday afternoon.

 

Sarah Palmer knocked in a corner from Birttney Paye in the 11^th minute to give the Herons an early 1-0 lead. William Smith outshot Union, 8-5 in the frame, with shots on net equal at two each.

 

Lizzy Moran (Unionville, PA) hit a corner to the top right of the circle where Politz sent in a clean shot, knotting the game at 1-1 with six minutes left to play.

 

Brittany Furlong, however, scored her eighth goal of the season at 66:52, to send the Herons to the championship game to defend their title. Furlong collected a pass from Kaitlyn Hamilton on the right before driving the ball into the left of the net.

 

Union netminder Liz Stanford (Acton, MA) made seven saves in the loss, while Katie DeKraker stopped four shots for William Smith.

 

The Herons will face the winner of third-seeded Skidmore and second-seeded St. Lawrence tomorrow in the title game at 1 p.m.