Women's Soccer | 11/1/2012 3:18:00 PM

Box Score

GENEVA, NY -- The third-seeded RIT (11-5-2) women's soccer team tied No. 2 seed William Smith (12-2-3) 1-1 in two overtimes of their Liberty League Women's Soccer Tournament Semifinals game on a cold and breezy Thursday afternoon at Boswell Field. The Herons advanced to championship game by winning 4-2 on penalty kicks.

Shots were 21-11 in favor of the Herons after 110 minutes. RIT goalkeeper Amanda Murray (Denville, NJ/Morris Knolls) finished with 11 saves in net for the Tigers.

RIT generated a couple good chances in the first half, the best coming with 13:30 to play. Jackie Jacobson (Westlake, CA/Westlake) sent a long ball towards the top of the William Smith penalty box. Zoe Jackson Gibson and Chelsea Dunay came out to play the ball with Ehlana Gray (Sewickley, PA/Avonworth). The ball got loose catching Denay off her line, but the Tigers could not convert.

Gray dribbled the ball towards the end-line. Chelsea Shoemaker (Rochester, NY/Aquinas) ran in from her midfield spot and fired a shot that just missed the top left corner.

Whitney Frary had William Smith's best scoring chance with 17:15 to play when her one-timer from six yard out sailed over the cross-bar and out of play.

The Herons opened the scoring in the 53rd minute when Brenna Kincaid scored off a loose ball inside the RIT penalty area giving the Herons a 1-0 lead.

RIT kept the pressure on, breaking through in the 85th minute on a goal by Jaimie Lewandowski (Rochester, NY/Greece Olympia). Liberty League Rookie of the Year Emily Shoemaker (Rochester, NY/Greece Athena) sent a long cross into the Herons penalty box that Lewandowski ran onto and headed passed the outstretched hands of Herons goalie Chelsea Dunay. It was the first goal scored by the Tigers versus William Smith since October 22, 2002.

The Tigers held the bulk of the play in the first overtime, generating some good chances. Shelby Vakiener (Fairport, NY/Fairport) drove down the flank from her defensive position, forcing the William Smith defense to play the ball out of bounds and into  a corner kick that was deflected out of harm's way.

Neither team generated very good chances in the second overtime, sending the game to penalty kicks. RIT held a 5-1 shot advantage in the two overtime periods.

In the penalty kick session, William Smith scored four to two for the TIgers, advancing on to the Liberty League Championship where they will face Union.

RIT awaits a possible at-large berth into the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Tournament. Selections will be announced on Sunday evening.