COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – An 8-1 run in the second period proved to be the difference as the Ursinus women's lacrosse team fell 19-9 to Muhlenberg College on Saturday afternoon on Senior Day.
 
With the loss, Ursinus falls to 7-9 overall and 1-5 in Centennial Conference play. Meanwhile, the Mules improved to 11-4 overall and 2-4 in conference action.
 
Ursinus celebrated six seniors prior to the contest, as Ashley Noto, Meghan Vizian, Abby Burkholder, Sophia Curtis, Skyler Bogdan and Susie Miller were recognized for their dedication and commitment to the women's lacrosse program over the last four years.
 
Junior Whitney Hershey and sophomore Devin Buggy paced the Bears' offense, finishing with three goals apiece, while junior Dana DeSiato dished out three assists. Junior Grace Olivo recorded a team-high five ground balls, while Curtis added four caused turnovers and four ground balls.
 
Ursinus struck first with two quick goals, as Buggy and Hershey each found the back of the net to give the Bears an early lead. Vizian assisted on Buggy's goal at the 14:14 mark, before Hershey converted a free-position attempt with 13:41 remaining in the opening quarter. Muhlenberg responded with four consecutive goals over the next seven minutes to take a 4-2 lead with 6:29 left in the quarter. DeSiato later assisted Hershey for her second goal with 1:59 remaining, but Muhlenberg closed the period with a goal in the final 21 seconds to take a 5-3 lead into the second quarter.
 
The Mules opened the second period with two goals before Bogdan scored with 9:59 remaining in the half to cut the deficit to 7-4. Muhlenberg then scored the final six goals of the half to take a 13-4 lead into the break. The Bears opened the second half with back-to-back goals in a 24-second span to trim the deficit to 13-6. Noto assisted Hershey for her third goal of the game, before Buggy added another at the 12:21 mark. After a Muhlenberg goal, Noto scored her first of the game off an assist from DeSiato with 10:04 remaining in the period. Vizian added Ursinus' final goal of the third quarter, but the Bears still trailed 15-8 entering the fourth. Muhlenberg outscored Ursinus 4-1 in the final period to secure the 19-9 victory.
 
Muhlenberg held a 40-24 advantage in shots, a 24-23 edge in ground balls and a 21-9 lead in draw controls. First-year Addi Guthrie-Pimpinella took the loss in goal for Ursinus, making five saves over 30 minutes. Sophomore Allison McAnally and Miller combined for three saves in the second half. Muhlenberg's Meaghan Haughney earned the win, recording eight saves in 60 minutes.
 
The Bears return to action Wednesday, April 22, when they host No. 21 Franklin & Marshall at 7 p.m. at Patterson Field.