FAUVER STADIUM – Speed. It is perhaps the major factor of a team's success that cannot be taught. Offensive and defensive structure, yes. Set pieces, yes. The ability to outrun opponents is something contained in the individual player.
 
That speed, plus some good goalscoring is what led William Smith College to a 3-1 women's soccer victory over the University of Rochester on Saturday evening. The Herons improved to 4-1 overall. The loss was Rochester's first of the year. UR is 4-1-1.
 
William Smith was looking for a solid win after suffering its first loss of the season. WSC posted three straight victories, then lost, 1-0, to SUNY Geneseo on the road three days earlier. The Herons were ranked third in Division III entering the match vs. Rochester.
 
WSC's success on Saturday was built on pressure, unselfishness, and that not-so-secret weapon of speed. The Herons knew when they counterattacked – and in the normal flow of the offense as well – a teammate would be in space. Get her the ball and good things will happen.
 
Rochester's goal came from scrappiness in the William Smith penalty area. Kerri Eden pushed the ball ahead in the box. WSC goalkeeper Veronica Romines (two saves) rushed out and slid at it. She couldn't control it. Emily Henry could for the Yellowjackets and she managed to direct it through a group of bodies into the net in the 3-1 final.
 
William Smith scored the opening goal at 8:44. Sarah Olick-Sutphen dribbled down the right sideline and hit a sharp cross into the center of the box. Megan Barwick collected it and whistled a low shot beyond the dive of Rochester goalkeeper Emma Campbell.
 
Barwick nearly had a second in the 15^th minute. Phoebe Wade's shot was blocked and Barwick drove the rebound off the left post from some distance.
 
Campbell was kept busy in her first career start. With 21 minutes left in the first half, she had to leap at a chipped ball meant for Wade. Eight minutes later, Olick-Sutphen hit a pinpoint cross along the right endline and Campbell speared it with two Herons at the back post.
 
Early in the second half, she stopped Barwick, diving at the low left post to save a long shot. In the 51^st minute, Evie Manning was put through with a burst of speed and fired from eight yards. Campbell made a sliding save to kick the ball clear. She finished with six saves.
 
The Heron lead went to 2-0 in the 40^th minute. The visitors ran a counterattack from midfield, spraying the ball wide right to Sheila McQuillen. She carried it deep into the Rochester end and centered it to Julia Keogh. One quick step around a defender allowed Keogh to hit an eight-yarder into the goal.
 
On the hour, Wade and Manning conspired for the third goal. Wade's ball right down the center of the pitch put Manning through 1v1 and she slid her shot under the onrushing Campbell from 14 yards.