(Lancaster, Pa.) – The Dickinson field hockey team gave a valiant effort in the Centennial Conference semifinals, but suffered a 4-1 setback to #2-seed and nationally-ranked Ursinus College, on Saturday.

The Bears struck early, putting a goal in the board in opening three minutes. Junior Nora Kornfeld found the back of the cage, off an assist from Amber Steigerwalt, just 3:03 into the contest.

The Red Devils answered with back-to-back corners but could not produce a goal. Ursinus kept the pressure on with the Red Devil defense holding strong. Samantha Macchio broke free but a great stop by senior goaltender Katy Schlechtweg (Mount Laurel, N.J./Moorestown Friends) prevented the goal.

The Bears would tally again, however, off the stick of sophomore Megan Keenan in the 22^nd minute to put Ursinus in front, 2-0. Ursinus continued to force penalty corners throughout the first half but Schlechtweg continued to rise to the challenge, turning away shot after shot.

First-year Jenny Davis (Edgewater, Md./Severn School) fired off a shot late in the half, but Danielle DeSpirito was there to make the save for the Bears.

The second half was much of the same as Ursinus controlled most of the possession. The Red Devils did, however, create some tense and dangerous moments in their attacking third.

First-year Erica Marshall (Baltimore, Md./Garrison Forest) broke out of the pack and ripped a shot from the top of the circle. DeSpirito made a diving stick save to keep the slate clean. Classmate Catherine Perlmutter (Blue Bell, Pa./Germantown Academy) forced a pair of big saves from DeSpirito, and the Red Devils forced a corner with just under 20 minutes remaining.

They would capitalize as Marshall deflected a shot off the stick of Perlmutter to pull the Red Devils within one, with 17:43 remaining.

The Bears would capitalize on a penalty stroke as Keenan placed a shot in the upper right-hand corner of the net to give the Bears another insurance goal. She tallied her third of the game with just over four minutes remaining to record the natural hat-trick, stretching the lead to, 4-1.

Dickinson continued to battle until the final whistle, looking to put a second goal on the board. The Bears were able to hold on the defensive end as they advance to Sunday's final.

Ursinus held a 19-10 advantage in shots, but the Devils were almost dead-even in the second half as the Bears held a 9-8 edge. The Bears forced 13 corners on the day but were only able to net a goal on one opportunity. Dickinson forced seven on the other end.

Schlechtweg finished with seven saves while DeSpirito tallied five. The Bears improve to 13-5 overall, and will face top-seed Franklin & Marhsall on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm.

The Red Devils finish a truly remarkable season at 12-6. Marshall tallied her 12 goal of the season, matching Perlmutter to tie the school record for goals by a first-year. The Red Devils set a number of school records on the year, including goals, assists and points in a season (53-34-140).