COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – Ursinus College women's soccer senior Mackenzie Groff played late-game hero as the Bears took down Alvernia, 1-0, after a lengthy lightning delay.
About 11 minutes into the game, the teams were called off the field due to lightning in the area. After a two-hour stoppage, the teams resumed play at around 9:45 p.m.
The match remained scoreless until Groff finally the broke ice in the 81st minute. Groff was played in by a nice through ball from freshman Kayla O'Malley and blasted a shot that pinged off the crossbar before careening down past the goal line. The game-winning goal was her fifth of the season and 15th of her career; Groff is now one of eight Ursinus women's soccer players to score 15 goals in a career.
The Bears' backfield played a strong game and helped sophomore goalie Sabrina Doherty to a four-save shutout in order to snap a three-game skid. Doherty posted her fourth clean sheet of the season.
Ursinus (3-4-2) extended its unbeaten streak in six all-time meetings with Alvernia. The Bears are now 5-0-1 against the Golden Wolves. The Bears own a 19-1 goal differential in those games. Groff also found a late marker last season, scored a late goal in last year's match to salvage a draw for the Bears.
Before the delay, the Bears worked the ball up the field on the opening whistle. Groff sent a kick that was blocked wide for a corner. The header on the corner was then kicked by the Alvernia (2-6-1) defense over the back of the goal for another corner.
The Bears dominated shots on goal in the first with eight and four on goal. Ursinus limited Alvernia to just two shots and none on goal.
In the second half, the Golden Wolves created a few scoring chances. Doherty came out to get a dangerous Golden Wolves ball led into the box from the sideline. Alvernia's leading goal scorer Alison Hyde took a quality shot just wide right.
Among Ursinus scoring chances before Groff's tally was when sophomore Julia Ewing hooked a shot wide right. Later on, Ursinus set up a quality corner with a couple touch passes and a cross was headed off the top of the crossbar by sophomore defender Avery Webster.
Several potential Bear breakout chances were also stopped on offside calls.
The Bears finished with 12 total shots and five on goal. The Golden Wolves finished with seven total shots and four on goal.
Alvernia goalie Lily Sankey saved four shots.
Ursinus hosts Dickinson Saturday at noon.