BALTIMORE, MD. – The Ursinus College men's soccer team battled in the second half but could overcome an early deficit falling to Johns Hopkins on Saturday afternoon, 3-1.
 
With the loss, Ursinus falls 6-2-1 overall and 0-2 in Centennial Conference action. The Blue Jays improved to 5-2-1 on the season and 1-0-1 in conference play.
 
Johns Hopkins tallied the first two scoring chances of the contest as they were awarded back-to-back corner kick opportunities during the third minute of play. Ursinus responded with consecutive chances during the seventh minute as senior Ben Weir intercepted a pass around midfield. Weir passed to sophomore Colin Deal on a give-and-go opportunity before Weir sent a through ball towards the box. Unfortunately, senior midfielder Patrick Tormey was unable to catch up to the pass as the Blue Jays netminder denied the chance. The Bears' second chance came as a pass from the Blue Jays was deflected towards junior forward Julian Faust just outside the box. Faust took a touch and sent a left-footed shot above the left post to keep the contest scoreless with 37:18 remaining in the first half. During the 17th minute, senior netminder Zach Matik was handed a foul within the box resulting in a penalty kick for the Blue Jays. Francis Meyer stepped up for Hopkins and delivered a right-footed shot towards the right post for the opening score and giving the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead. Johns Hopkins added a goal during the 42nd minute and increased their lead to 2-0 at the halftime break. With under three minutes remaining in the half, Johns Hopkins' CJ Feldman played a through ball down the right-side finding Turner Orvin. After a one touch cross from Orvin, he found teammate Christian Clarke for the goal, giving Johns Hopkins a 2-0 halftime lead.

 
Johns Hopkins added the opening goal of the second half to gain a 3-0 advantage with 33:28 remaining in the contest. Ursinus nearly answered during the 65th minute as sophomore Simon Muther and first-year Jason Lotkowski each recorded shots on goal, but both were turned away to keep the Bears deficit at three. The Bears added their first score during the 74th minute as they capitalized on a free kick opportunity near midfield. Senior Alexander Woll sent a long cross into the box finding classmate Luke Luehrs. Within the box, Luehrs' header towards the far post found sophomore Marko Balic for a one-on-one opportunity and right-footed shot found the back of the net for the goal. Unfortunately, Ursinus was unable to create more scoring chances and fell by a 3-1 score against the Blue Jays.

 
Johns Hopkins held a 4-3 edge in shots on goal, an 8-3 lead in corner kick opportunities, and each team totaled eight shots. Matik was dealt the loss in goal tallying a save over 68 minutes of play, while sophomore Josiah Moore did not face a shot over the final 21 minutes of action. Loucas Costeas earned the victory in goal for the Blue Jays behind two saves over 69 minutes of action.

 
The Bears return to action on Wednesday, October 2nd as they travel to Lancaster for a Centennial Conference road matchup against No. 23 Franklin & Marshall at 7 p.m.