COLLEGEVILLE, PA – The Wilkes University field hockey team was unable to overcome a strong effort from No. 15 Ursinus College Wednesday evening at E.F. Snell Field as the Bears shutout the Colonels 8-0.

Wilkes dropped to 0-2 on the season while Ursinus improved 2-1 overall.

The Bears controlled much of the first quarter, but the Colonels put together a spurt of offense following a penalty corner 6:30 into the 15 minutes. Abigail Davis (Mountain Top, PA/Crestwood) had her shot saved by Bears' goalkeeper Jordan Ulsh and then a Maura Hensel (Selinsgrove, PA/Selinsgrove) attempt was saved by a defender. Another penalty corner followed with Morghan Murphy's (Mountaintop, PA/Crestwood) ensuing shot getting stopped by Ulsh again. Ursinus then took the lead at the 9:41 mark.

The Bears added two goals in the second quarter to lead 3-0 at halftime and broke the game open with a five-goal third quarter.

Murphy registered five of the Colonels eight shots in the game. Carly Eidle (East Greenville, PA/Upper Perkiomen) made 15 saves in the cage while Olivia Gayoski (Forty Fort, PA/Valley West) and Davis each made a defensive save.

Gabriela Howell and Ellie Bruggeman each had two goals for Ursinus, and Mary Lauren Franz collected three assists.

Wilkes returns to action Saturday for its home opener at Schmidt Stadium against Alvernia University at 1:00 p.m.