GLASSBORO, N.J. – After a breathless first-half shootout, the No. 15 Ursinus College field hockey team was unable to keep up with No. 9 Rowan in a 7-4 season-opening setback on Thursday night.

Mary Lauren Franz and Ellie Bruggeman scored their first career goals for the Bears, who also got markers from Jamie Mayer, and Jordan Moore.

The two squads, meeting in high-powered lid-lifter for the fifth straight season, were all over the cage early. Each side scored on its first two attempts, the Bears drawing first blood on Bruggeman's strike from an assist by Carroll during a penalty corner.

The Profs equalized less than two minutes later and took the lead just over a minute after that, but Ursinus bounced right back as Maye knocked in a loose ball to make it 2-2 with only half of the first quarter gone.

Moore's marker made it 3-3 late in the second, but Julia Patrone put Rowan ahead to stay with 1:50 remaining before halftime.

The Profs stretched their advantage to 7-3 before Franz opener her collegiate account with 4:19 left to play.

The Bears return to action on Saturday, when they welcome William Smith to Snell Field for the home opener.

Notes

• Rowan controlled a 21-7 advantage in shots and a 9-3 edge in corners
• Jordan Ulsh finished with five saves in her debut for Ursinus
• Patrone led the way with three goals and an assist for Rowan, with Krystyna Hovell adding two
• Sarah Symes registered her first career point with an assist on Franz' debut goal