Blue Field Hockey Advances to Elite Eight; Wellesley Tops Ursinus, 3-0

SALISBURY, Md. -- The Wellesley College field hockey team advanced to the round of eight at the 2013 Division III Field Hockey Tournament with a 3-0 victory over Ursinus on Saturday afternoon.

The victory lifts Wellesley to 18-3 overall, and sets a program mark for wins in a season. The 2013 Blue surpassed the 2002 (17-4), 1995 (17-5), and 1986 (17-4) Wellesley teams that all won 17 games. Ursinus (15-6) sees its season come to an end.

The Blue now advance to tomorrow's regional final, taking on host Salisbury at 1:00pm. The Sea Gulls posted a 1-0 victory over Tufts in today's other game. 

Wellesley held considerable advantages in both shots and corners, taking over the game at the outset and continuing to dominate. The Blue out-shot the Bears 25-7, and held a 15-4 edge in corners, holding Ursinus scoreless for the first time this season.

The Blue got on the board in the 10th minute, converting on a penalty corner. First-year Nikki Sharkin connected on the goal after an insert from classmate Courtney Peterson.

Wellesley pushed it to 2-0 in the 22nd minute, as Peterson and Sharkin again paired up for a score. Peterson found the back of the cage this time, deflecting a shot from Sharkin for the score.

The Blue out-shot Ursinus 13-3 in the first half, while holding a 10-1 advantage in penalty corners.

Wellesley made it 3-0 in the 54th minute of play, as Sharkin scored her second of the game and 13th of the season. Courtney Peterson sent a ball in from the right side of the field, finding Sharkin in front for the one-time goal.

With a 3-0 lead, Wellesley's defense went back to work, only allowing a flurry of Ursinus activity in the 68th-minute. The Bears got off three consecutive shots in the stretch, but Blue senior Brit Mscisz calmly turned away all three attempts, preserving the 3-0 victory.

Mscisz finished the game with four saves, earning her sixth shutout of the season. For Ursinus, Danielle DeSpirito made nine saves.