COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – After a nice start, the Ursinus College women's lacrosse team was unable to keep up with sixth-ranked Gettysburg, which reeled off nine straight goals to close the first half and left Patterson Field with a 17-5 Centennial Conference victory.
Ursinus (6-6, 2-3) put the high-powered Bullets in an early hole when sophomore Franny Liberatoscioli scored unassisted just over a minute in, and Liberatoscioli converted a free-position opportunity to pull the Bears even at 2-apiece. But Gettysburg (12-1, 6-0), which has defeated six programs that are nationally ranked or receiving votes in the IWLCA Division III poll and came in ranked 12th in the nation in scoring defense, flexed its muscles after that, storming in front with a flurry of transition tallies.
Caroline Jaeger's fast-break strike at the 18:59 mark gave the Bullets a lead they never relinquished, and Emily Tropsa potted one just 25 seconds later to double the advantage. After another by Emma Christie, Abby Baigelman and Maggie Connolly scored 10 seconds apart and the Bullets were rolling.
Four more markers sent the Orange and Blue into intermission with an 11-2 lead. Freshman Abby Goldstein stopped the run with a goal on a feed from senior Devin Brakel, but Maggie Welsh tallied 15 seconds later, and Connolly's free-position shot instituted the running clock for the final 27:30.
Connolly led Gettysburg with three goals, while Baigelman, Christie, Katie Landry, Amanda Borucki, and Steph Colson all scored two apiece; Borucki, Landry, and Christie each had an assist.
Shannon Keeler made nine saves in the first half before being replaced by Bailey Pilder, who registered five stops in the second stanza.
Liberatoscioli's two goals led Ursinus, which held a 15-9 advantage in draw controls and was only outshot 29-22. Gettysburg was ruthlessly efficient, however, putting all but two of its shots on frame and converting on seven of 12 free-position chances. The Bullets were a perfect 21-of-21 on clears, frequently using their fast break to create space and scoring chances.
Brakel turned in a goal and an assist and senior Jessica Hill also scored for the Bears, who got 10 saves from senior Margaret Philbin in goal. Junior Lisa Grous racked up a game-high five draw controls, with Liberatoscioli and freshman Bridget Sherry collected three each, Sherry adding two ground balls and a caused turnover to her ledger.
After facing one CC powerhouse, Ursinus will contend with another on Wednesday, April 20, when the Bears travel to Lancaster to face defending champion and fifth-ranked Franklin & Marshall. Opening draw is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.