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Field Hockey Takes Down Another Giant

Field Hockey Takes Down Another Giant

GRANTHAM, Pa. - A 2-1 victory facilitated by heroic performances from a pair of Jordans: The Ursinus College field hockey team has found its winning formula.

It was deja vu all over again on Wednesday night as the 10th-ranked Bears edged No. 5 Messiah, 2-1, on a goal by Jordan Moore with three minutes remaining for their third consecutive victory over a team ranked inside the top-10 of the NFHCA Coaches Poll. It was Moore who played hero with a double-overtime game-winner in last week's win at No. 6 TCNJ.

Just like at TCNJ, the Bears (6-2) jumped out to an immediate lead. This time, it was just 20 seconds in as Ellie Bruggeman found the back of the cage on an assist from Gabriela Howell, staking the visitors to a quick-fire advantage. 

Jordan Ulsh, a stalwart all night in the cage, made five saves in the first quarter alone to keep the Bears on top. Messiah (7-2) pierced the Ursinus wall late in the second quarter, pulling even on a goal by Makayla Malcolm with 1:12 to go before half.

Ulsh added three saves in the third quarter and two more in the fourth, and the game appeared headed for an extra session when Amanda Groeling dribbled into the right side of the circle and threaded a pass to Moore, who was able to punch it in with 3:01 to play. The Bears easily saw out the remaining time to seal another monumental victory.

Messiah held a 13-7 advantage in shots and a 5-4 edge in corners, but Ulsh turned aside all but one of the 11 shots she faced and finished with a career-high 10 saves. The first-year starter has been sensational of late, making 23 saves and allowing just two goals in the last three games. 

Wednesday marked the second straight meeting in which the Bears knocked off a top-5 side from Messiah, a perennial contender for national titles and a No. 1 ranking. 

Ursinus returns to Centennial Conference play on Saturday at Washington College.