COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The ninth-ranked Ursinus College field hockey team opened its home slate on Wednesday night with a 3-2 win over 17th-ranked Messiah.
Senior midfielder Megan Keenan (Sinking Spring, Pa./Wilson) scored all three goals, including the game-winner in the 55th minute on a pass from senior midfielder Kelsey Reed (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley).
Messiah (1-2) got both goals from sophomore midfielder Carissa Gehman in the loss.
The Bears (2-1) took an early 1-0 lead in the seventh minute when Keenan scored on a shot from the upper right part of the circle. Messiah would counter with a goal from Gehman at 19:22 on an assist from junior forward Moriah Pfautz.
In the second half, Keenan scored back-to-back goals in the 53rd and 55th minutes, the latter making the score 3-1. Gehman would score with 9:54 left on the clock for the Falcons, but, they would not pull any closer.
Ursinus had a 26-8 edge on shots, while an 11-1 edge in penalty corners.
In goal, senior goalkeeper Danielle DeSpirito (Mountain Top, Pa./Crestwood) made three saves for Ursinus, while Messiah got 13 saves from freshman goalkeeper Shelby Landes.
Ursinus hosts Elizabethtown next Tuesday, the second in five straight home games for the Bears.