Ursinus and Franklin & Marshall both defended their home fields in the opening round of the Centennial Conference field hockey tournament on Tuesday night to move on to the semifinal round. The Diplomats advance to the semifinals for the fifth straight season while Ursinus is in the semifinals for the second time in the past three seasons.
In Collegeville, Pa., third-seeded Ursinus built a first half lead and didn't look back to earn a 3-1 victory over sixth-seeded Dickinson at Snell Alumnae Field. With the win, the Bears improve to 14-4 overall and avenge a first round loss to Dickinson last season. Meanwhile, the Red Devils concluded their season at 9-9.
Marie Brainard scored twice for the Bears in the fifth and 20th minutes, sandwiched by a tally from Katie Studzinski in the 19th minute as the Bears raced out to a 3-0 halftime advantage. Alex Hackett got Dickinson on the board in the 37th minute but the visitors were unable to pull any closer for the final 3-1 result.
The Bears held a 16-9 shot advantage for the game and a 12-6 edge in shots on goal. Ursinus also held a decisive 9-3 advantage in penalty corners. Elise Martin made five saves in 60 minutes while Red Devils goalkeeper Arden Cook made seven saves in the full time.
Ursinus returns to action for Thursday's semifinals at second-seeded Swarthmore at 7 p.m.
In Lancaster, Pa., Hannah Fitzgerald's fourth-quarter goal broke a late tie and handed fourth-seeded F&M a 2-1 triumph over fifth-seeded Haverford at Tylus Field. Caitlin Hoover provided the assist to Fitzgerald's goal while also scoring the opening goal for F&M. Meghan Dadio had one assist. The F&M defense conceded just six shots. The Diplomats improved their postseason record against the Fords to 5-1, staying a perfect 5-0 when playing in Lancaster.
Following Hoover's tally, Haverford's Erica Pardon scored in the 20th minute to knot things up at 1-1. Steph Ionescu made eight saves between the pipes for the Fords.
The Diplomats will now travel to Baltimore to face top-seeded Johns Hopkins on Thursday at 6 p.m.
FIRST ROUND: Tuesday, Nov. 3 | at #3 & #4 seeds
#3 Ursinus d. #6 Dickinson, 3-1 | Box Score
#4 Franklin & Marshall d. #5 Haverford, 2-1 | Box Score
SEMIFINALS: Thursday, Nov. 5 | at #1 & #2 seeds
#3 Ursinus at #2 Swarthmore, 7 p.m. | TICKETS
#4 Franklin & Marshall at #1 Johns Hopkins, 6 p.m. | TICKETS
CHAMPIONSHIP: Saturday, Nov. 7 | at highest remaining seed
Semifinal winners, location & time TBD
