BALTIMORE, Md. – The No. 19 Ursinus College field hockey team received phenomenal goalkeeping by senior Jules Singer but ultimately couldn't get a shot past Johns Hopkins keeper Jodie Baris as the Bears fell, 2-0, in a nationally-ranked clash with No. 15 Johns Hopkins at Homewood Field.
Two programs at the top of the Centennial Conference went toe-to-toe in a highly anticipated matchup on Johns Hopkins' Senior Day. It was the two goalies that stole the show, as Singer and Baris were stone walls for their respective teams. Unfortunately for the Bears, it was Baris who finished unblemished.
Ursinus (10-5, 6-2) got off to a slow start in the first half but found some life in the second half, eventually outgaining the Blue Jays, 19-17, in shots and 10-9 in shots on goal in the match. The Bears more than tripled the Blue Jays in penalty corners, 14-4, but finding the game-tying goal was a difficult task.
CC-leading Johns Hopkins (14-1, 8-0) controlled play for much of the first half, registering several great scoring opportunities, but the Bears stayed within striking distance in part to Singer's toughness in the cage. The Bears had first-half opportunities but not the quality of the Blue Jays' chances.
The Blue Jays' stout defense, which has only allowed four goals in eight CC matches, kept the Bears' potent penalty corner unit at bay. It was difficult to get clean shots off as Johns Hopkins came out of the cage in full force to block blasts from the top of the box throughout the match.
In the first half Singer 'stood on her head', saving one opportunity after another. She made several incredible stops among her seven saves including several of the kick and diving variety. Singer even stoned a few point-blank chances right in front of goal.
Johns Hopkins scored its only goal on Singer in the ninth minute as Katie McErlean dribbled through Ursinus' defense and found the back of the cage.
About ten minutes in, Ursinus' penalty corner caused a loose ball along the goal line but Baris dove on it.
With under nine minutes remaining in the first half, an Ursinus goal off a corner was called back due to a violation.
In the second half, the Bears controlled tempo, pushing for a critical equalizer. A penalty stroke awarded to the Bears under three minutes into the second half was the best opportunity to knot things up. Senior Bridget Sherry, in her first game back from injury in ten days, took the penalty. Sherry shot high and to the blocker side but Baris saved it.
Baris went on post ten saves in her seventh shutout of the season. Baris' strong play in goal helped the Blue Jays extend their winning streak to ten games.
In an effort to get another attacker on the field late in the game, Ursinus opted for an empty net, pulling Singer. With under three minutes left in the match, Johns Hopkins tacked on an insurance marker when Izzy Thompson deflected a high chip from McErlean. Thompson's nearly impossible redirection went past sophomore midfielder Mary Margaret Baldy, who was standing near the cage after she came in for Singer.
Thompson's goal tied Ursinus junior Erin Saybolt for third with 11 goals in the CC.
The Bears host Washington College Wednesday at 7 p.m.