Geneva, N.Y. - Four unanswered goals canceled out an early two-goal advantage as the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team dropped a tightly contested, 4-2 matchup, to William Smith on Saturday. 

Clarkson moves to 2-5-3 overall, 0-3-1 in conference play. The Knights return to action in the North Country on Tuesday as they make the trip west down Route 11 to take on St. Lawrence University at 4 p.m.

Lillian Gillette got Clarkson off to a flying start, finding the back of the net just four minutes into the game. Paige Ford initially forced a save in the buildup play leading to a corner. When the kick was sent in, Gillett managed to get on the end of it and send an attempt on target past the Herons keeper to give the Knights the advantage. The hosts looked for an immediate answer, forcing Isabelle Wood into action in the 10th and 16th minutes, to keep the scoreline in favor of the Green and Gold. 

Brooke Everest would add a second for Clarkson in the 22nd minute off the end of a quick counter-attack. The junior finished off the move with the back of the net for her second goal of the season as the Knights looked determined to pick up their first conference win of 2025. 

William Smith managed to get a foothold back in the game as a 31st minute goal from Julia Bragg halved the deficit before the half, igniting a spark in the Heron attack. That spark would continue to build as five straight shots from the hosts starting at the 39th minute finally led to another breakthrough in the 45th minute, 24 seconds before the halftime whistle. Ruth Hotaling would find the back of the net for the Herons on this occasion, knotting the score at two, headed into the second half of play. 

The Herons controlled the second half of play, attempting 15 total shots through the 45 minutes, limiting the Clarkson attack through focused possession in their attacking third. A goal in the 79th minute from Anna Nichols, followed by a 85th minute penalty kick goal by Hotaling lifted William Smith to the 4-2 scoreline and all of the points in the conference win. 

Clarkson managed six shots in the first half before being limited to zero in the second with four of those finding the target. The Herons totaled 28 overall with 13 on goal. Wood was credited with nine saves through the 90 minutes, Antonia Goerke made two for William Smith. The Knights continued to rely heavily on the starting eleven as has been trend so far this season, with seven players going the full game. Everest (2), Ford (1) and Gillette (1) accounted for the shots on goal.