COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Ursinus College women's soccer team came up just short in the search for its first victory of the season, surrendering a hard-fought 2-1 decision to visiting McDaniel in the Centennial Conference opener for both squads.

Senior Katie Bell netted her first goal of the season for Ursinus (0-5-1, 0-1), competing down to the wire against a Green Terror group that reached the conference final and the third round of the NCAA Tournament a year ago.

McDaniel (5-1, 1-0) struck early, denting the scoreboard exactly seven minutes in when Lindsey Farrell volleyed Kristen Gibson's cross just past sliding freshman goalkeeper Sabrina Doherty.

The Green Terror doubled their advantage in the 23^rd minute on a beautiful goal. Gibson played a long ball down the right side for Katie Kirschenmann, who slid a pass back to Gibson as she made a run down the center of the box for a top-shelf finish and a 2-0 lead.

McDaniel had two more close calls as the first half drew on, but neither The Bears pulled one back late in the first half, taking advantage of a defensive miscue by the Green Terror. A McDaniel player mishandled an Ursinus pass, and the deflection landed right at the feet of Bell, who made no mistake with a right-footed shot that plugged the right side of the net to get the hosts on the board with 1:24 remaining in the period.

Ursinus was on the attack from the outset of the second stanza, and senior Mackenzie Groff created two scoring chances early in the frame. Groff chased down a long ball and nearly beat McDaniel goalkeeper Sarah McDonald to it, but the charging net-minder was able to come off her line and knock it away as the two collided.

A few minutes later, Groff made a turn near midfield and dribbled down the center before laying off a pass for freshman Rachel Coleman, whose hard bouncing effort from the right side was saved by McDonald. Freshman Julia Ewing forced McDonald into a save with a powerful left-footed boot in the 63^rd minute.

The Bears narrowly averted another two-goal defict in the 79^th minute, when Jackie Fahrenholz' shot from 30 yards out skidded off the top of the crossbar.

Ursinus worked hard for an equalizer, earning a corner with just under three minutes to play. Although the ball bounced dangerously in the box, the Green Terror was able to clear and had a clear look at a goal on a breakaway counter-attack by Farrell, but Doherty came out to deny her bid at an insurance tally. Unfortunately, the Bears were unable to mount another chance.

Doherty made four saves in her first career start in goal for the Bears, who were outshot 16-7 and trailed 7-3 in corner kick chances.

McDonald recorded three saves for McDaniel, which remained unbeaten in its last six matchups with the Bears.

Ursinus continues CC play with a showdown against No. 10 Swarthmore on Tuesday, September 19. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Patterson Field.