ELIZABETHTOWN, Pa. – The Ursinus College women's soccer team battled deep into the night at Elizabethtown on Tuesday, but the Bears' quest for their first win of the season was dashed on an overtime goal as the Blue Jays pulled out a 2-1 non-conference result.
Senior Kendall Couch scored her first goal of the season, freshman Emma Russell delivered her first collegiate point, and senior Marisa Kalkstein made several impressive saves to send the match into extra time. In the end, Ursinus (0-4-1) was dealt a tough setback when Janelle Barna blasted a long-range shot into the top right corner of the net just under three minutes into overtime.
The Bears dodged an early bullet when Alli Lasky's bender from the left side struck the far post, and the Blue Jays (2-1-1) were unable to pounce on a juicy rebound in the middle of the box.
Ursinus' first shot just came over 20 minutes into the match, when freshman Sabrina Doherty sent in a looping effort from distance that forced a jumping save from Hailey Parks. Just 53 seconds later, Elizabethtown had the lead on Katrina Morales' left-footed shot from just outside the 18-yard box.
Ursinus drew level just shy of the half-hour – and exactly eight minutes after the Blue Jays' icebreaker – when Russell crossed a ball into Couch at the top of the box and the senior found the right corner of the net with a lefty shot to give Russell the first point of her collegiate career.
Senior Katie Bell nearly gave the Bears the upper hand a few minutes later, but her free kick from just outside the box was stopped by a diving Parks. Elizabethtown had a great chance in the 39th minute, but a shot from right in front sailed high after a deflection and the sides went into the break knotted at 1-all.
The second half passed mostly without incident until the closing minutes, when Kalkstein delivered one of the highlights of her career. Lasky had made a turn in the box and had a free look at the net, but Kalkstein made a remarkable reflex save to preserve the tie and leave the home bench stunned. Shortly thereafter, Lydia Lawson ripped a shot that appeared headed toward the top left corner of the net before Kalkstein dove to punch it away.
The match continued into extra time, when Barna's dagger ended the proceedings.
Parks collected seven saves for Elizabethtown, which gained advantages in shots (20-11) and corners (4-2).
Freshman Rachel Coleman topped Ursinus with four shots, three of them on frame, and Doherty put all three of her attempts on net. Couch's goal was the fifth of her career.
Kalkstein matched a career high with seven saves. Senior co-captain Anna Budny made her season debut for the Bears, starting in the backfield.
Ursinus is back at Patterson Field for its Homecoming game on Saturday, when the Bears entertain McDaniel in the Centennial Conference opener for both schools.