COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – A strong start lifted the Ursinus College women's lacrosse team to an 11-9 victory over Swarthmore College on Wednesday evening at Patterson Field.
 
 
With the victory, Ursinus snapped a two-game skid, improved to 6-8 overall and 2-3 in Centennial Conference play. Swarthmore fell to 10-4 on the season and 3-3 in conference action. The victory marked the fourth straight for the Bears in the annual Anita Deasey Memorial Cup.
 
 
Ursinus and Swarthmore both honored Ursinus alumna, Anita Deasey '75, a former assistant coach for both programs, who was remembered as a mentor, teammate, and friend. Prior to the contest, the teams recognized Deasey's living passion for high achievement, love of competition, integrity for fair play, and enthusiasm for the game.
 
 
Sophomore Jaime Michaud led the Bears, with a first-half hat trick and two draw controls. Senior Maeve Leonzi added two goals, while juniors Meghan Vizian and Abby Burkholder, along with sophomore Cait Michalowski, each recorded two caused turnovers.
 
 
The Garnet took an early 1-0 lead at the 13:29-mark of the first quarter before Vizian tied the game with 10:49 left in the period. On a free-position opportunity, Vizian sprinted past two defenders and fired a shot past the goalkeeper for the Bears' first score. Swarthmore quickly regained the lead at 2-1, but Leonzi responded with a goal off a feed from sophomore Dana DeSiato to tie it again. The teams traded goals to end the quarter tied 4-4, with Michaud and senior Julia McCann scoring for Ursinus. McCann's goal, which came after she received a pass at the top of the circle and spun past a defender, was the 100th of her career, ranking 22nd in program history.  
 
 
Ursinus carried the momentum into the second quarter, scoring four straight goals to take an 8-4 lead with 6:53 left in the half. Senior Grace Lynch started the run, followed by two goals from Michaud and one from DeSiato. Michaud's hattrick was completed at the 7:57-mark as she weaved past two defenders and bounced a shot into the net. Swarthmore closed the half with a goal at the 4:31-mark, cutting the Bears' lead to 8-5 at halftime.
 
 
After the halftime break, clamped down until Swarthmore scored with 6:58 left in the third quarter. Ursinus answered with goals from Leonzi and junior Ashley Noto to extend the lead to 10-6 at the 4:32-mark. Noto assisted Leonzi's second goal, then scored herself to give the Bears a four-goal advantage. Swarthmore once more with 11 seconds left in the period to make it 10-7 heading into the fourth.  
 
 
The Bears' defense opened the final frame with three turnovers, while the offense maintained possession for the first nine minutes. At the 6:21 mark, sophomore Ryann Buchner assisted classmate Whitney Hershey to extend the Bears' lead to 11-7. Swarthmore added two late goals, but the Bears held on for the 11-9 victory.


Ursinus outshot Swarthmore 31-17 and held a 15-11 edge in draw controls. The Garnet led 13-9 in ground balls. The Bears converted 94.7% (18-of-19) of their clear attempts, while Swarthmore finished at 84.2% (16-of-19). First-year goalkeeper Allison McAnally earned the win with four saves. Swarthmore's Brooke Carrier took the loss despite a game-high 11 saves.
 

Ursinus returns to action Saturday, April 19, when the Bears travel to Muhlenberg College.