Willis' First Goal Lifts Women's Soccer

Willis' First Goal Lifts Women's Soccer

CAMDEN, N.J. – Ursinus women's soccer freshman Leigh Willis registered her first career goal as the Bears shut out Rutgers-Camden, 1-0, in non-conference action on Wednesday night.

On a chilly evening just across the Delaware River, the Bears (6-6-2) came out of the gates in attack mode then protected their lead with stingy defense and strong goalkeeping by sophomore sensation Sabrina Doherty. The Bears' back line eliminated any potential threats and didn't allow Rutgers-Camden (7-6-2) to develop dangerous scoring chances on Doherty, who posted her sixth shutout of the season with five saves.

Less than five minutes into the match, freshman Gracia DiBianco ripped an angled shot from the right side of the box that bounded off the leaping goalie's gloves and out of bounds. DiBianco's chance on net earned the Bears their second corner of the young match. Sophomore Avery Webster played the corner to the far left post and a loose ball scramble ensued in front of the goal before Willis sent the ball into the back of the net for her first collegiate goal.

The Bears dominated Rutgers-Camden in the first session, holding the Scarlet Raptors to no shots on goal and just one overall. Ursinus totaled nine shots and five on goal as the Bears took their 1-0 lead into halftime.

On Rutgers-Camden's first run down the field out of halftime, Doherty made her toughest stop of the match on a blistering, close-range shot off the foot of Meghan Wachira, whose shot was heading for the near post from the right side of the box.

The Scarlet Raptors generated six shots in the second half with five on goal but couldn't get much going other than the opening attack. Ursinus played a more conservative style in the second session, taking four shots with none on frame.

Overall, Ursinus took 13 shots with five on goal. Rutgers-Camden attempted seven shots with five on net.

Rutgers-Camden goalie Natalie Eberhardt made four saves after surrendering the early Ursinus tally.

Ursinus wrapped up its non-conference slate with a 4-1-2 record.

The Bears take on No. 4 Johns Hopkins in Baltimore on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.