Of all the biggest moments in soccer, the corner kick may be most impactful. A chance to attack the goal uncontested, corner kicks provide an opportunity great football clubs must take advantage of. It was the Ursinus Bears who felt this pressure just nine minutes into an exhilarating non-conference matchup with the Widener Pride, with Senior Grace Senese lining up for a potential game-changing play. Could the Bears get off to a hot start and take advantage? Or would the offensive inconsistencies of their 2023 team continue to plague them? The kick sailed into the midfield, and first-year Kaleigh Evans rocketed it through the goal, as the Bears’ families roared in glee. By making plays when it mattered most, this team is giving fans a different feeling than the ones that came before it.
For the Bears, it’s been a long journey to make it to this moment of success. The team finished 0-3 over their last 3 games of conference play in 2023, scoring a combined two goals as the defenses of rivals Muhlenberg, Dickinson, and Gettysburg stifled them. The team knew it had to find answers, seeking to match up against the competition. So far, those answers have come in large part from a group of first-years in Taylor Pezulich, Kaleigh Evans, and Emma Woch. The Bears have dominated the non-conference portion of their schedule, with a 5-0-1 record. Pezulich and Woch have provided a steady presence as forwards, often using their speed and aggressiveness to press the opposing defense and create great shots on goal. The players have started 5 and 4 games respectively, as their contributions have made them nearly impossible to take off the pitch. That’s without mentioning Evans, who has begun her Ursinus career with pure dominance offensively. The freshman leads the conference (as of 9/18/2024) with 8 goals and is third in shots on goal with 12, converting her shots on goal at a ridiculous 67% clip. Her scoring has been central to the Bears’ offense, as they’ve looked to get her looks around the goal and relied on her elite shot-making to aid them in tough situations. With the impact of these three first-years, it’s hard to not believe in a turnaround for the Bears offensively as they approach conference play.
While lots of turnover has occurred for Ursinus’ attack, consistency seems to be the key for the Bears defensively. The team returns lockdown defenders Maddie Jolie ‘27, Holly Joseph ‘27, and Paige Flaugh ‘26, giving them veteran leadership to defend their side of the pitch. All three showcased their talent this past Wednesday night, holding the Susquehanna offense to just one goal and keeping the River Hawks out of the midfield at all times. The intensity which these Bears bring on a nightly basis surely makes things easier for goalkeeper Mandy Carideo ‘24, who has allowed just two goals in the past four games with her own stellar play. Through the strength of Ursinus’ defensive veterans, the team should continue to dominate possession in conference play, setting them up for success.
It’s hard not to be excited about this Ursinus squad as they move towards conference play, looking like a complete team on both ends of the pitch. But after an up and down 2023, conference play will be a big test. Ursinus faces two tough conference opponents over these next two weeks in Johns Hopkins and Washington College, giving us an early look into the competitiveness of this Bears team in 2024. But with a strong, balanced attack, the Bears are on the prowl, ready to shock the conference with this new-look group