CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Ursinus College women's lacrosse team gave No. 25 Washington College a major scare, but two goals in the final minute left the Bears one shy in a 10-9 Centennial Conference battle.
The Bears (1-9, 0-3) never led and found themselves in a 10-7 hole with only 1:43 remaining before making things very interesting with a furious last stand. Senior Bridget Sherry forced a turnover by the Shorewomen and scooped up the ground ball to key a transition opportunity and a goal by classmate Kaci McNeave with 50 seconds on the clock. Senior Courtney Cortese corralled the ensuing draw and set up another goal by sophomore Grace Langen just 12 seconds later.
Washington College, however, got the draw control and was able to run off the final 38 seconds to remain unbeaten in conference play.
Junior Haley O'Malley and sophomore Hanna Crowley scored two goals apiece to lead a balanced attack for Ursinus. Sherry finished with four draw controls, three caused turnovers, two ground balls, and a goal in another strong all-around performance.
Kristy Govrom (three goals, one assist), Alison Pantazes (two goals, two assists), and Lauren Brenner (three goals) led the way for Washington College (8-2, 3-0), which entered the IWLCA rankings this week.
It took more than 10 minutes to break the ice in the first half, with Pantazes setting up the opening goal by Brenner before potting one of her own.
Sophomore Hannah Reape deposited the first Ursinus goal on a free-position shot at the 16:23 mark before Pantazes and Govrom scored 14 seconds apart to stretch the hosts' advantage to 4-1 around the midway point of the half.
The Shorewomen maintained a three-goal edge until Sherry scored on a feed from Langen with 20 seconds on the clock, bringing the Bears within 6-4 at intermission.
Washington College threatened to pull away again, scoring the first two goals of the second half to go ahead 8-4, but Ursinus refused to fold. Crowley got the Bears within 9-6 with 12:30 to play, and O'Malley's second of the night made it a two-goal margin before the Shorewomen appeared to put it away on Govrom's marker with 1:43 left.
Cortese registered five draws for the Bears, who held an 11-10 edge in that category. The Shorewomen posted 29 shots to 22 for Ursinus and committed 15 turnovers to the visitors' 19.
Senior Emily Blaszkow had three ground balls, two draws, and two caused turnovers. Senior Kaitlyn France notched eight saves in the cage.
The Bears welcome McDaniel to Patterson Field for a 3 p.m. CC clash on Saturday.