Ursinus College

LANCASTER, Pa. - The Ursinus College men's soccer team secured a crucial Centennial Conference win, defeating Franklin and Marshall, 2-0, on the road at Tylus Field on Wednesday evening.
 
The win brings the Bears to 7-5-2 overall on the year, and 4-2-1 in conference play. The Diplomats, meanwhile, drop to 4-7-2 on the year, and 1-5-1 in conference action. The victory marked the Bears' second straight in the season series with the Diplomats and their most wins within conference play since finishing 5-4 in 2021. 
 
Franklin and Marshall put the pressure on Ursinus early, creating multiple corner opportunities in the opening minutes. Strong play by the Bears' defense helped keep the game scoreless, nevertheless.
 
In the 22nd minute, Ursinus was able to counter the Diplomat offensive attack, with the first goal of the game. First-year Joseph Kmetz knocked his fifth goal of the season into the left side of the net, giving the Bears a 1-0 lead. On the play, sophomore Nicholas Grippa forced a Diplomat turnover leading to Kmetz stepping in front a pass before converting on a left-footed curling shot from outside the box to give Ursinus the early lead.
 
Both teams continued to trade shot opportunities throughout the first half. But at halftime, Ursinus held their 1-0 lead, along with a 5-4 shot advantage.
 
The second half could not have started better for the Bears. Sophomore Noah Huber knocked a shot attempt off the goal post, which was then converted into a score by Grippa, just 18 seconds into the half. It was the Bears' quickest goal in any half of the season.
 
Franklin and Marshall continued to tally shot opportunities in the second half, attempting to battle back from the two-goal deficit. Four key second half saves helped seal the deal for Ursinus, though, as senior goalkeeper Josiah Moore came in the clutch. Time expired with the Bears taking a 2-0 win.
 
Franklin and Marshall held a 16-6 advantage in shots taken, but Ursinus had a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal. The Diplomats led in corner kicks, tallying 12 to the Bears' five. Moore earned the win with four saves, posting his fifth shutout of the season while Diego Moreno suffered the loss for the Diplomats with three saves.
 
Ursinus will be back in action this Saturday, as they host Washington College for their Senior Day match at 12:00 p.m. Franklin and Marshall will travel to Haverford College to take on 25th-ranked Fords, this Saturday at 3:00 p.m.