COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – A late offensive surge propelled the Ursinus College field hockey team to a 3-1 win over Gettysburg in a battle of unbeaten Centennial Conference leaders.
With over 10 minutes to play, Ursinus junior Erin Saybolt broke a 1-1 deadlock that had stood since the early stages of the match as he followed up her own rebound for the game-winner. Saybolt's fourth goal of the season helped the first-place leading Bears (5-2, 3-0) stay unbeaten in league play. The streaking Bears are now winners of their last five outings, outscoring the opposition 20-3 over that span.
The red-hot Bears snapped Gettysburg's own five-game winning streak and handed the Bullets (5-2, 2-1) their first blemish in conference action. Ursinus avenged last year's 2-1 loss in double overtime at The Battlefield.
After Saybolt's tally, Ursinus took advantage of a Gettysburg green card. The Bears padded their lead on sophomore Gabriela Howell's goal with about five minutes to play. The insurance marker was blasted home by Howell off another rebound.
Ursinus threw the first punch early. Less than eight minutes after the opening whistle, junior Gemma Dufoe ripped a shot from just outside the crease after a rebound and pass from Howell. Her third goal of the season gave the Bears an early 1-0 edge.
Gettysburg responded five minutes later to knot the game 1-1. Arden Scheetz sent a cross from the side that glanced off Ursinus keeper Jules Singer's pads and in front of the goal before Allison Cavicchio's backhander found the back of the cage. The match didn't have another goal until Saybolt's game-winner.
Singer made four saves to earn the victory, while Gettysburg keeper Jillian Caputo saved six shots.
Ursinus held advantages in shots (13-7) and penalty corners (6-3).
The Bears travel to No. 4 TCNJ Thursday for a 7:30 non-conference tilt.