LA PLUME, Pa. – The Ursinus women's soccer team dominated Keystone from whistle to whistle to earn a 3-0 road victory to open the 2018 season.
Ursinus put together a complete game both offensively and defensively. Leading the way for the Bears was senior Mackenzie Groff. The Bears captain scored two goals, marking the 11th and 12th of her Ursinus career as she continues to ascend the all-time scoring and total points charts at Ursinus. It was the second career brace for Groff, who also tallied twice at Gettysburg last year.
The Bears peppered Keystone with shots from the outset and over the course of the entire 90 minutes. Ursinus ripped 21 shots, an incredible 17 of which were on net. The Bears never wavered defensively in order to post the shutout for sophomore goalie Sabrina Doherty. Ursinus' stingy defense held Keystone without a shot on goal until the 65th minute and to just four shots overall.
In the first half, Ursinus fired eight shots on goal. The constant offensive pressure caused the Bears to break into the scoring about seventeen minutes into the young season. Groff scored off a through ball in the box from sophomore Angela Gervasi to give Ursinus a 1-0 lead. Gervasi's helper was the second of her career.
In the 39th minute, Ursinus extended its lead to 2-0 when freshman Mariah Lesh scored her first career goal in her collegiate debut. Lesh is the second Bear rookie to score in her debut in as many seasons, joining sophomore Doherty, who accomplished the same feat last season. Senior Bridget Rauh assisted Lesh's goal, the first of her career.
Groff scored an unassisted goal in the 69th minute to move the score to 3-0. The senior powered five shots on goal, the most on the squad.
Doherty made the only save she needed to en route to her third career solo shutout. Keystone's Rebekah Shepherd made 14 saves in a busy night in net for the Giants.
The Bears travel to Lebanon Valley on Saturday for another non-conference tilt at 4 p.m.