HAVERFORD, Pa. – A second-half tally proved to be the difference as the Ursinus men's soccer team fell to Haverford College, 1-0, on Wednesday evening at Walton Field.


With the loss, Ursinus dropped to 2-5-2 overall and 0-3 in Centennial Conference play. The Fords improved to 6-0-5 overall and 1-0-2 in the conference.


The match opened with Haverford generating the first few chances, earning three early corner kicks, but the Bears' defense held firm to keep the game scoreless through the opening 10 minutes. Ursinus created opportunities of its own midway through the first half, as a pair of long throw-ins from senior AJ Torres led to shots in the 24th and 26th minutes. Junior defender Mason Lorah took the first attempt, followed by a shot from first-year Michael McCool that was saved by the Fords' goalkeeper. McCool's opportunity came after Torres' throw-in slipped through the first wave of defenders, but he was unable to convert. Haverford closed out the half with three shots, though none found the target, and the teams went into halftime tied 0-0.


Haverford's John Dowd broke the deadlock in the 47th minute, heading home a cross from Aaron Park off a corner kick for the game's lone goal. Ursinus nearly responded in the 51st minute with a corner of its own, but the Fords' defense turned away the equalizing chance. Over the next nine minutes, the Bears' defense held strong, blocking several Haverford shots to keep the deficit at one. Ursinus generated two shots and a corner in the final five minutes but could not break through, ultimately falling 1-0.


Haverford held a 6-1 advantage in shots on goal and a 12-3 edge in corner kicks. First-year goalkeeper Jaden Ottley matched his career high with five saves but took the loss. Haverford's Grayson Benson earned the shutout with one save.
 
Ursinus returns to action on Saturday, October 4th, when it hosts Muhlenberg at 3 p.m. from Patterson Field.