COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Sophomore Devon Carroll netted the game-winner in overtime to propel the Ursinus College field hockey team past Washington College, 2-1, in Centennial Conference action at Snell Field.
From start to finish, No. 19 Ursinus (11-5, 7-2) dominated in many facets of the game but had to battle from behind to earn a hard-fought victory. Close games between the two programs is a common occurrence as four of the last seven meetings have been decided by a single goal.
Less than three minutes into overtime, the Bears earned a penalty corner. Senior Mikayla Jordan inserted to junior Erin Saybolt, who played it to Carroll at the left side of the circle. The sophomore sent a low shot powering off the pads of Washington College goalie Morgan Domanico and into the back of the cage. Carroll's golden tally was her ninth goal of the season.
The win allowed Ursinus to move to 7-0 on Snell Field this season and extend its home winning streak to eight games dating back to last year.
It was the Bears who controlled the match as Domanico kept staving off numerous Ursinus scoring chances. The Bears hugely outgained the Shorewomen in shots (37-4) and penalty corners (23-2), but even with the large shot and corner advantages, the scoreboard remained tight.
Washington College's Emily Pantanzes made two crucial key defensive saves, both on penalty corner blasts by Saybolt – one coming in the second half and one in overtime. Pantanzes knocked down both near goals with tremendous stick saves.
The Bears did everything they could do in the first half but couldn't get an elusive shot by Domanico, who played strongly with 13 saves. The Bears' offense camped out in Washington College's defensive zone for a large chunk of the first half. Ursinus put on a shooting and penalty corner clinic, taking 24 total shots with nine on goal and attempted 14 corners in the first stanza, while the Shorewomen were held to two shots and one corner in the session.
Ursinus took eight corners before Washington College (4-13, 4-5) attempted its first corner and shot in the 19th minute.
The Shorewomen didn't have a scoring chance until 36 seconds left in the first half but took full advantage of it. Nicole Schroyer capitalized on a rare breakaway to give the Shorewomen a 1-0 lead at halftime. Clare Ingersoll's outlet pass led Schroyer down the field. The Ursinus defense seemed to recover but not in time as Schroyer found the lower left corner of the cage from inside the circle for her first goal of the season.
In the 40th minute, Ursinus finally got one behind Domanico. Junior Gemma Dufoe, approaching the left post, crossed into the crease area where Saybolt tapped the ball in to tie the match at 1-1. Saybolt picked up her 12th goal of the season, tying her for second in the Centennial.
Carroll had a threatening backhanded shot as a potential game-winner go just wide of the right post in the 68th minute.
Senior keeper Jules Singer made one save in a quiet night in goal.
Ursinus celebrates Senior Day on Saturday at noon against Bryn Mawr. The four-member class of Maria DiCioccio, Jordan, Bridget Sherry and Singer will be honored before the game.