COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Ursinus College women's soccer team couldn't overcome a Muhlenberg goal in the opening minute of the game as the Bears fell, 1-0, in Centennial Conference action at Patterson Field.
Muhlenberg got on the scoreboard just 55 seconds after the opening whistle. Danni Steigerwald headed in a nice cross played into the left side of box from the right sideline. Steigerwald capitalized on the cross being just outside the reach of Ursinus sophomore goalie Sabrina Doherty, who came charging out in an effort to corral the ball. Steigerwald, the team's leading scorer, found the lower left side of the net.
Ursinus (5-6-2, 2-5) seemed to outplay the Mules but couldn't quite get the equalizer. The Bears nearly doubled the Mules' shot total (14-8). In an effort to get offensive pressure, the Bears generated nine shots to the Mules' four in the second half.
Muhlenberg (5-5-1, 3-3) received great play from goalie Libby Juliano, who posted the shutout with eight saves. Juliano and the Mules were on their heels in the waning moments of the game.
Muhlenberg committed a foul in the box in the 57th minute, leading to an Ursinus penalty kick. Senior Mackenzie Groff sent a low shot on net, but Juliano dove to her left to deny the Bears a tying goal.
As the game started ticking down, the Bears were creating more chances. Sophomore Julia Ewing blasted a free kick from 25 yard out just inches over the cross bar. Ewing also got a header off that bounced wide right with 25 seconds to play.
Doherty, the conference leader in saves, made three stops on the night.
The Bears are off until next Wednesday when they travel to Rutgers-Camden for a 7 p.m. non-conference game.