The Liberty League is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the 2019-2020 academic year. Originally founded as the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) in 1995, the conference was renamed the Liberty League during the summer of 2004. Each Thursday throughout the year, the Liberty League will be celebrating its silver anniversary by recognizing outstanding teams and individuals from its rich 25-year history.
On the eve of William Smith College’s appearance in the 2019 NCAA Division III Women’s Soccer Championship semifinals, the Liberty League recognizes the 2013 William Smith soccer team – one of the seven teams to win a national championship in the league’s 25-year history, including the only national title for a women’s soccer team.
After losing its season-opener to The College of New Jersey, William Smith won 23 straight games to finish with an overall record of 23-1-0. The Herons surrendered four goals over their first two games, but only two goals over the final 22 games. The defense did not allow a single goal over the final 16 games, including eight straight postseason games – two Liberty League tournament games and six NCAA Championship games. The Herons' shutout streak spanned 1,472 minutes, which still stands as a school record.
In the national semifinals in San Antonio, Texas, against Capital University, junior Krista Longo scored 6:52 into the match and the defense held firm for a 1-0 victory, propelling William Smith into the national championship match for the fourth time in school history. The Herons finished with a commanding 30-8 advantage in shots and an 8-1 lead in corners.
The following day, William Smith battled Trinity University (Texas) in the national championship match. Like the semifinal match, the Herons took control early on a goal by junior Madeline Buckley just 10:52 into the match. Longo added an insurance goal, her second of the weekend, in the 52nd minute as William Smith clinched the national championship with a 2-0 victory, handing Trinity its only loss of the season (25-1-2). Senior goalkeeper Chelsea Dunay notched a season-high nine saves to anchor the defense.
William Smith senior defender Olivia Zitoli was named Division III National Player of the Year and a first team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) while Dunay was a third-team All-American. The classmates also claimed the top Liberty League awards with Zitoli earning Player of the Year honors with Dunay claiming Defensive Player of the Year accolades. Zitoli and Dunay were joined on the NSCAA All-East Region team by juniors Dineo Mmutla (first team) and MaryClaire Pelletier (second team) and first-year Kara Shue (third team).
William Smith head coach Aliceann Wilber, who earned her 480th career victory in the championship match against Trinity, was named the NSCAA National Coach of the Year and East Region Coach of the Year. The 2013 championship marked the second time that she guided the Herons to the pinnacle of Division III soccer. William Smith’s first national title came 25 years earlier when Wilber’s 1988 squad defeated UC San Diego 1-0 in triple-overtime. In the six years since winning the 2013 championship, Wilber’s teams have won 112 games, an average of 18.7 per season. She is currently the all-time Division III leader with 592 career victories. The Herons have won 13 straight Liberty League titles – a streak that started in 2007.
The 2013 William Smith team consisted of seniors Olivia Zitoli, Chelsea Dunay and Kim Knefel; juniors Madeline Buckley, Amanda Faherty, Brenna Kincaid, Krista Longo, Riley McCarthy, Caitlyn Mitchell, Dineo Mmutla and MaryClaire Pelletier; sophomores Zoe Eth, Zoe Jackson Gibson and Nicki Johnson; and first-years Olivia Biles, Shay Callahan, Leah Connerty, Maddy Devereaux, Emma Diehl, Molly Dietrich, Allie Flaherty, Sarah Freer, Evie Manning, Ella McMackin, Lauren Randaccio, MacKenzie Smith, Kara Shue, Courtney Wagner and Bridget Westerman. Head coach: Aliceann Wilber; assistant coaches Chas Allen and Keir Perrigo.
25th Anniversary Spotlight Series:
10/24/2019 - 1999 St. Lawrence University Men's Soccer
10/31/2019 - Sara Artus, Clarkson University, Volleyball (2008-2011)
11/7/2019 - Ali Marpet, Hobart College, Football (2011-2015)
11/14/2019 - 1997 William Smith College Field Hockey
11/21/2019 - Grant O'Connor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cross Country/Track & Field (2015-2019)
11/28/2019 - Andrew Franks, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Football (2011-2015)