COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Ursinus Field Hockey team opened their 2023 home slate with a resounding 3-1 win over No. 20 William Smith on a hot Sunday afternoon at the Snell Alumnae Field in non-conference action.
 
 
With the win, the Bears evened their record at 1-1 while avenging last season's defeat to the Herrons in Geneva. Meanwhile, William Smith falls to 1-1 after the setback.
 
 
The first quarter went scoreless, but it was the Bears controlling play throughout the first 15 minutes and having more quality chances on the net than the Herons. After Bears sophomore goalkeeper Adriana Palladinetti turned away a slight break chance from the herons in the 18th minute, Ursinus cashed in on their first corner opportunity of the game when junior Maeve Montgomery connected on a blast from the top of the circle right after classmate Mary Lauren Franz set the insert from sophomore Lauren Breisch. Ursinus dominated the second quarter by getting four more corner opportunities and nearly got a second goal before a Herons defensive save kept the game at one into the half.
 
 
William Smith came out strong in the second half and pressured the Bears net with three shots on the net from corners that were turned away. The momentum from the stops allowed the Bears to add to their lead in the 35th minute when junior Amanda Groeling tipped in a high shot from the top by first-year Marie Brainard. Ursinus nearly added to its lead in the 41st minute when senior Ellie Bruggeman got the ball past the Herons goalkeeper, but a diving defensive save from Lauren Jackson kept the game at two. However, Brainard smashed the ball into the net during the 43rd minute for her first collegiate goal and to give Ursinus a 3-0 lead. William Smith countered and got two corners in the final 18 seconds of the third quarter before Montgomery brilliantly kept the final two of three shots out of the net on defensive saves. Montgomery added one more in the 49th minute of the contest to keep the herons off the scoreboard and a late William Smith goal was not enough as the Bears salvaged the win.
 
 
The Herons held a slight 18-15 edge in shots behind a 14-6 advantage in the second half and a 15-9 edge in shots on goal. Each team received 10 corners with all the Herons coming in the second half. Palladinetti earned her first collegiate win after making 10 saves while Kristen McCormick suffered the loss for the Herons. Brainard finished with three points behind a goal and an assist while Montgomery added a goal and four defensive saves.
 
 
The Bears have nearly a week off before returning to action on Saturday, September 9th against Lynchburg for an 11:00 a.m. start.