Wille Scores in Loss for Shorewomen

COLLEGEVILLE, PA -- Danielle Stong scored the game-winning goal with 7:54 remaining in the first overtime period to give host Ursinus College a 2-1 victory over visiting Washington College in the Centennial Conference Field Hockey Tournament's first round game today in Collegeville, PA. 

The Bears improved to 11-7 with the win and will take on top-seeded Franklin & Marshall in a semifinal game Saturday. The Shorewomen, who entered the contest a perfect 4-0 in overtime games this season, close out their 2012 campaign at 9-10.

Senior midfielder Kristen Wille (Stevensville, MD/Kent Island) gave the Shorewomen a 1-0 lead with 17:52 remaining in the first half by gathering the ball and scoring from the middle of the circle. That goal provided all of the first half scoring.  Ursinus held an 8-7 advantage in shots in the period. 

The score remained 1-0 in favor of the Shorewomen until the Bears finally found the equalizer on a goal by Megan Keenan off an assist by Julie Pilla with 6:32 remaining in the second half. Ursinus had a penalty corner at the end of regulation, but Washington junior goalkeeper Steph Harryman (Churchton, MD/Southern) made three saves during the corner to send the game into overtime. Ursinus maintained a 15-5 advantage in shots in the second half.

Ursinus goalkeeper Danielle DeSpirito made a pair of back-to-back saves early in the overtime period to keep the score tied. Harryman then made a save on a Stong shot on the other end with 9:36 left in the first overtime. She repeated that feat on the Bears' next possession with 8:27 on the clock.  Harryman made another stop, this time on a shot by Samantha Macchio, with 7:55 to go, but Stong blasted home the rebound to win the game for the Bears. 

Ursinus finished the game with a 27-14 advantage in shots and a 14-6 advantage in penalty corners. Harryman made 13 saves in the loss for Washington, while DeSpirito made six for Ursinus.

Today's game marked the second time in 15 days the Shorewomen and Bears went to overtime.  Washington defeated Ursinus, 3-2, in overtime, at home, on October 17th for the Shorewomen's first-ever victory over the Bears.