ALLENTOWN, Pa. - It took all but 42 seconds for the Ursinus College women's soccer team to get on the board on Thursday night against Muhlenberg, but the Bears fell 3-2 in double overtime to the Mules.
In a game that was originally scheduled for Wednesday, got pushed back a day due to field conditions and weather. That didn't stop the Bears from getting off to a quick start. Just 42 seconds into the game, Julia Ewing found the back of the net as the Bears went up early, 1-0. The goal is the fastest in program history and believed to be the third-fastest in the history of the Centennial Conference.
It didn't take long for Muhlenberg to answer Ursinus' early attack. The Mules found the netting just more than two and a half minutes later on a deflection off of a corner to knot the score at one goal apiece.
Both teams would trade chances the rest of the half but were unable to capitalize.
Again, it didn't take long for the Bears to score. Ten minutes into the second half, Ursinus re-took the lead. Ewing kicked a cross into the box over a defender and found Kelly Gardus who scored over the keeper, giving the Bears a 2-1 advantage. The goal marked the first time the Bears have scored more than once in a game since September 11 against Penn State Brandywine.
The Mules dominated offensive possession the rest of the half, firing five of the next six shots with Sabrina Doherty there to turn the first four away. Finally, on the fifth shot, the Mules broke through, tying the game, 2-2, in the 72nd minute.
Muhlenberg continued the offensive attack, but the Bears' defense and Doherty were there to keep the game tied and headed to overtime.
The Bears controlled the first overtime with shots from Brittany Banks and Morgan Raley but were unable to get one past the keeper. While Ursinus controlled the first overtime, it was all Muhlenberg in the second. With just 1:22 left in the contest, the Mules played a ball into the box and found the back of the net for the game-winner.
Ursinus returns to Patterson Field next Wednesday to play Rutgers-Camden.