WESTMINSTER, Md. – The Ursinus College field hockey team used a five-goal second half to power past McDaniel, 7-2, in its Centennial Conference opener.

Ursinus (3-2, 1-0), now winners of the last three matches, was tied with McDaniel 2-2 at the half until an offensive explosion allowed the Bears to cruise to victory. Brianne Nicholas led the way with two goals, which puts her in the team lead with five tallies; the junior came into the season with one career goal but has found her scoring touch in a big way with five in the last two contests.

It wasn't easy at first as McDaniel (0-5, 0-1) got on the scoreboard about four minutes into the match on a goal by Megan Quattrone, who took advantage of a loose ball rebound.

A few minutes later, Ursinus freshman Jamie Mayer flipped a shot into the right side of the cage to level the game 1-1. The goal was assisted by junior Gemma Dufoe.

The Bears took a 2-1 lead on junior Erin Saybolt's goal in the 15^th minute but the Green Terror responded in the 22^nd minute to tie the game 2-2 courtesy of Jensyn Koontz's rebound goal off a defensive save by senior Bridget Sherry, her first of the season and fourth of her career. The game remained tied into the break.

It didn't take long for the Bears to take back the lead and seal the match. In the 43^rd minute, senior Mikayla Jordan put home a rebound goal.

Five minutes later, a nice display of teamwork put the Bears up 4-2. Dufoe redirected the ball in front to beat McDaniel's keeper Paige Ford; sophomore Devon Carroll had the helper on Dufoe's redirection.

Nicholas kept the flurry going with back-to-back goals of her own only about a minute and half apart.

Carroll rounded out the scoring with a rocket shot from the top-right of the circle. Sophomore Mary Margaret Baldy picked up her first career assist on Carroll's blast.

The Bears used an impressive 22 shots attempted and 19 on goal to their advantage. Ursinus held the Green Terror to just five shots on goal.

Ursinus senior keeper Jules Singer made two saves. Sophomore Addie Frey came on to work in goal for the last 10 minutes of the match.

Ford posted 12 saves on a busy day in the cage.

The Bears travel to take on Swarthmore Wednesday at 7 p.m.