ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Ursinus College women's lacrosse team fell in heartbreaking fashion on Thursday afternoon to Muhlenberg, conceding a last-minute equalizer before coming up short in overtime, 11-10.
Abby Krasutsky led the Bears attack, scoring a career-high four goals and recording an assist for five points. Grace Langen also had a pair of goals. On the defensive end, Becca Lewis caused four turnovers and Alexa Machado had 12 saves.
Looking for their first win of the spring, the Bears came out sharp. Langen put Ursinus on the board less than three minutes into the game off of a feed from Hanna Crowley. Just 20 seconds later, Krasutsky got one past the keeper on a free-position shot to make it 2-0 in the first five minutes.
Ursinus didn't let up. Ketlee Statz also converted on a free-position opportunity. Three minutes later it was Langen and Krasutsky again, each scoring their second goal of the game to give the Bears a commanding 5-0 lead.
Over 10 minutes into the contest , the Mules finally ended the Bears scoring run, but Ursinus capitalized on a yellow card as Krasutsky found Reilly Morgan for her first goal of the year to put the Bears back up by five.
After a slow start, the Mules found their rhythm. Muhlenberg scored five goals in just under five-and-a-half minutes to tie the game at six goals apiece. The two sides were unable to score for the final 10:44 of the half to go into the break still knotted.
The Bears ended the scoring drought right away to open the second half. Crowley scored her fifth goal of the year to put Ursinus back in the lead, 7-6. The two sides went back and forth as the Mules tied it before Krasutsky put the Bears back on top and the Mules answered again.
Tied at eight, Ursinus found the go-ahead goal. Gabrielle Liott scored her first goal of the year, putting the Bears ahead, 9-8. Krasutsky then scored her fourth of the game to give Ursinus an important two-goal lead as the teams headed into the final stretch
Despite trailing by two goals, the Mules wouldn't go away. After almost seven minutes without a score, Muhlenberg got back within one to make it 10-9.
In the game's final 10 minutes, both defenses and goalkeepers made some crucial stops. Machado recorded five late saves, but with 31 seconds remaining in the game, the Mules converted on a free-position shot to send the game to overtime.
In overtime, Crowley had the lone shot for the Bears, which went high. The two teams switched sides after a scoreless three minutes. Just 38 seconds after the switch, Muhlenberg got one past Machado as Ursinus fell behind for the first time all game.
Muhlenberg held a slim edge in shots (31-27), but the rally was spurred on by a 17-7 advantage in draw controls.
Lewis and Molly Divis each collected four ground balls, and Divis added three caused turnovers to Lewis' four.
The Bears' 10 goals marked a season high.
What's Next?
Ursinus will host Dickinson on Saturday for Senior Day at 3 p.m. at Patterson Field.