HAVERFORD, Pa. - John Dowd's header in the 48th minute lifted Haverford to a 1-0 win over Ursinus (2-5-2, 0-3-0 CC) on Wednesday afternoon at Walton Field, sealing the best 11-match start to a season in the program's 124-year history. The unbeaten Fords (6-0-5, 1-0-2 CC) extended their run with their seventh shutout of the year.
The Fords controlled the first half with steady offensive pressure, earning multiple corners through the work ofThomas Vanni. Shots from Andrew Fritz, Gabe Knopf and Charles Sharp were turned away by Ursinus goalkeeper Jaden Ottley, who kept the scoreline level despite facing a barrage of chances. Attempts from Jack Bonner and Pavel Yurkov followed, but Haverford was unable to find the opener before halftime.
Defensively, Haverford held firm. Goalkeeper Grayson Benson made a critical first-half save on a Michael McCool header, while the back line limited Ursinus to just four shots in the opening 45 minutes. The half ended 0-0 after several fouls and midfield battles disrupted rhythm for both sides entering the intermission.
Haverford broke through just two minutes into the second half. John Dowd slotted home his second goal of the season in the 47th minute, finishing a crafty header of a set piece initiated by Aaron Park's perfectly-placed corner entry. The strike gave the Fords the decisive edge with Dowd's second goal of the season, and second in as many games as he also notched the opening goal against Johns Hopkins on Saturday.
With the lead, Haverford continued to dictate play. Park, Vanni and Knopf all tested Ottley, while D'Amour pressed forward with four attempts, including one on target. In total, the Fords unleashed 25 shots and forced five saves from Ottley.
Ursinus found little attacking success, producing just five shots overall and only one on goal as the Haverford defense did well to disrupt the Bears counterattacks. McCool registered the Bears' lone effort on target, while Nicholas Grippa, Mason Lorah and Luke Hansen each added attempts that failed to trouble Benson.
Benson's one save was enough to preserve his seventh scoreless appearance of the year, underscoring a defensive unit that has conceded just five goals across 11 matches.
Dowd's goal stood as the game-winner, while Park notched the assist as part of another high-energy midfield performance.
The Fords now turn their attention back to the road, traveling to Chestertown, Md., on Saturday, October 4 to face Washington College in a 7 p.m. Centennial Conference match.
