COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Ursinus College women's soccer team fought until the very end, but dropped at Centennial Conference matchup against No. 6 Swarthmore, 1-0, Tuesday night at Patterson Field.
The Bears (0-6-1, 0-2) had a handful of chances early, getting after the Swarthmore defense right away, but the Garnet back line stood pat, blocking each of the Bears' first three shots before they could reach the goalkeeper. Junior Mackenzie Groff had the first chance – a shot from within the box – while senior Kendall Couch and junior Kasey Sheahan followed up with efforts of their own.
Swarthmore's Marin McCoy – the reigning CC Player of the Week – almost got the Garnet (8-0, 2-0) on the board with 16 minutes left in the first half, ripping a left-footed shot from about 30 yards out that ricocheted off the crossbar and out of harm's way.
The Bears defense did a solid job containing the dangerous McCoy, who was limited to just two shots (one on goal) in the first 45 minutes and three overall. When the junior forward touched the ball, a white jersey was attached at the hip, shadowing her every step, waiting for a second defender to arrive on the scene.
All was well until seven minutes into the second half, when the Garnet's Katie Dougherty crossed the ball into the box from the right side and found a streaking McCoy whose left-footed tap bounced just inside the left post, putting Swarthmore up 1-0.
Ursinus had a chance to score prior to McCoy's goal on a quick attack to start the second half, drawing the Swarthmore keeper out of the net before sending the ball into the box. Sheahan found the ball at her feet with just a few feet between her and the end line, but her off-balanced shot flew wide left.
In the attempt to find the equalizer, the Bears were a bit too eager, as they were called offside three times.
Swarthmore, the top-ranked team in the Mid-Atlantic Region, held a 14-7 advantage in shots. The teams were even at 4-apiece in corner kicks.
The Bears' back line put in a solid effort regardless of the loss. Senior outside backs Stephanie DeAngelo and Phoebe Shoap were walls down the sidelines and the duo of freshman Zoe Tesone and senior Anna Budny helped to contain McCoy, closing any available space for her to work.
In just her second career start, freshman Sabrina Doherty stopped seven of eight shots while also stepping in front of a handful of passes into the box.
Ursinus continues its CC slate, as it travels to Gettysburg on Saturday. The Bears' next match at Patterson Field is on October 4 against Haverford.
