With a pair of quick goals 33 seconds apart in the opening minutes of the game and a solid first-half effort, the Clarkson University Women's lacrosse team put a scare into 8th-ranked William Smith on Saturday afternoon at Hantz Turf Field. However, the Liberty League frontrunners were able to pull away in the second half as the Herons escaped with a 7-4 win on the road to spoil Clarkson's Senior Day.

Tied 3-3 after the first 30 minutes William Smith outscored the Golden Knights 4-1 in the second half to improve its record to 14-1 overall and 7-0 in the conference.

Clarkson opened the game with goals by the Collins sisters, junior Taylor and freshman Abby, to take a 2-0 lead before the game was two minutes old.

After William Smith tied it up later in the half with goals by Nicki Santora and Allie Flaherty, the Green and Gold went back on top with a goal by freshman Emma Andrews with 8:23 to play in the period. That was the last time the Knights would hold the lead against the national powerhouse as Melissa Moore scored with 40 seconds before intermission to make it 3-3.

William Smith got goals by Flaherty and Ali Burns to start the second half, putting the visitors on top 5-3.

Senior Ashley Flick tallied Clarkson's fourth goal to pull within one with 14:03 to play, but that was as close as the Knights would get as the Herons closed out the game with goals by Bizzer Gahagan and Burns to keep their Liberty League record perfect.

William Smith outshot Clarkson 23-12 and held a 16-12 edge in ground ball.

Sophomore Samantha Gladd posted nine saves for the Knights.

Freshman Stephanie Scaia picked up a team-high three ground balls and recorded three caused turnovers.

Clarkson, at 9-6 overall and 2-5 in the Liberty League, will try and break out of a five-game losing skid when it closes out the season on the road at Vassar and Bard next weekend.