COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Ursinus College field hockey team opened its 2013 season by blazing Eastern Mennonite with nine goals en route to a 9-0 win over the Royals Saturday afternoon at Snell Field.

The Bears won their third straight season opener, and pitched its second shutout in the season lidlifter in the last three years.

Sophomore defender Megan Keenan (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson), last season's Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year, along with sophomore midfielder Stephanie Cooper (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West) each scored three goals on the afternoon. 

The Bears had 37 shots on the day, while holding the Royals (0-2) to just five shots all of which came in the second half.

Also scoring on the afternoon were sophomore forwards Danielle Stong (Glibertsville, Pa./Boyertown), Samantha Macchio (Redding, Conn./Joel Barlow) and Devin Brakel (West Windsor, N.J./West Windsor Plainsboro North).

Macchio started the scoring in the first half, netting the first goal of the game – and the season – 6:32 in. Less than one minute later, Brakel assisted on Cooper's first goal for the 2-0 lead.

Keenan got on the board at 11:42 unassisted, followed by Stong's first goal at 27:22.

In the second half, Cooper started the scoring 1:25 in, followed by Brakey's first goal on an assist from Macchio.

Keenan's second goal of the day came at 46:52, followed by a goal from Cooper at 65:25 on a feed from senior forward Abby Wood (Lumberton, N.J./Rancocas Valley Regional).

The final goal came with 1:25 left when Keenan scored unassisted. 

Sophomore goalkeeper Danielle DeSpirito (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) made three saves on the day to start the season off 1-0.

Ursinus has a week off, and will travel to William Smith next Saturday.