The Muhlenberg field hockey team dropped to 19th in the NFHCA/STX poll released today and suffered its most one-sided loss of the season, 6-1 to Ursinus.

The first-place and 15th-ranked Bears (11-5, 7-0) scored three times in each half, outshooting the Mules (10-5, 2-4) by a 22-4 margin.

Muhlenberg avoided the shutout when Kristen Bruschi scored with 11:13 left. The goal put her in sole possession of second place on the team’s all-time scoring list with 89 career points.

Click here for box score.

The Muhlenberg College men’s soccer team snapped a three-game non-conference losing streak as senior Evan Smallwood scored two goals and the Mules defeated DeSales, 3-2, at Varsity Field.

The game was the team’s final contest of the year against an opponent outside the Centennial Conference. The Mules (12-4) are undefeated in CC play with three games remaining. Next up is an important match Saturday at Gettysburg, one of three teams tied for second.

“Anytime you get a win going into a big game, it’s good for momentum,” Smallwood said.

Much of that momentum came from Smallwood’s head. He headed in a Justin Marx corner to give the Mules an early lead. Smallwood then answered a DeSales (9-7) penalty kick goal by heading in a cross from sophomore Jose Ramirez to put the Mules up, 2-1.

Smallwood is now tied for third on the team with six goals and his 17 points are one shy of the team-leading total of Ramirez. Marx is tied with Smallwood to lead the squad with five assists.

“We’ve done a lot of work on early balls into the box,” Smallwood said. “I’ve just used my size to get to balls.”

Junior Nick Richardson scored the final ’Berg goal and the eventual game-winner in the second half. Sophomore Matt Pitetti eluded a defender on the left side and sent the ball to Richardson, who beat the charging goalkeeper to extend the lead to 3-1. The assist was Pitetti’s first career point. Richardson ranks second on the Mules with seven goals.

The Mules gave up a second half goal, but held on for their second straight win. It was only the fourth Muhlenberg game all season in which both teams scored. The Mules have won each of those four.

Click here for box score.