By James Wagner
Director of Athletic Communications
HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Ursinus College field hockey team started its 2014 season on Saturday with a 5-1 win over Eastern Mennonite. The Bears, preseason ranked 13th in the country by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, held a commanding 35-5 advantage in shots on the afternoon.
Sophomore midfielder Amber Steigerwalt (Warrington, Pa./Central Bucks South) had two goals to open the season, with sophomore defender Annie Kopera (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy), junior forward Danielle Stong (Gilbertsville, Pa./Boyertown Area) and junior forward Samantha Macchio (Redding, Conn./Joel Barlow) each netting a goal. Junior midfielder Megan Keenan (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) had two assists for the Bears in the win.
Keenan assisted on the first two goals for the Bears, the first one coming 3:31 into the game as she aided Steigerwalt for a 1-0 lead. Stong scored her goal on a Keenan assist at 11:20 for the 2-0 edge.
Exactly two minutes later, Steigerwalt scored again to give the Bears a 3-0 halftime edge.
In addition to the three goals, Ursinus' defensive unit was outstanding in the first half as they did not allow a shot or corner.
In the second half, Macchio scored 2:09 in for a 4-0 lead, then Kopera scored her goal at 55:19 for the final Ursinus' goal of the game.
Camille Williams scored the lone goal for the Royals on a penalty stroke following an EMU penalty corner, with less than nine minutes left in the contest.
Junior goalie Danielle DeSpirito (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) made four saves in the contest for Ursinus, who will host nationally-ranked William Smith next Saturday at noon at Snell Field.