GETTYSBURG, Pa. — A single moment of offensive precision just before halftime proved to be the difference Saturday, as the Haverford College women's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Gettysburg in their Centennial Conference opener at Clark Field.

In a match defined by defensive grit and midfield battles, the Fords (2-3-2, 0-1-0 CC) went toe-to-toe with the Bullets (4-1-2, 1-0-0 CC) for nearly the entire contest. Haverford's back line was tested early, but first-half goalkeeper Lily Buyer was strong between the posts. Buyer was called into action in rapid succession, turning away three threatening Gettysburg attempts in a crucial four-minute span late in the half to keep the match scoreless.

Haverford's attack generated several promising chances, with Emma Murray testing the Gettysburg keeper in the seventh and Caroline Flynn forcing a save in the 40th. However, despite the Fords' defensive resolve, the Bullets broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute when Jane Daiutolo found the back of the net for what would ultimately be the game-winner. 

Gettysburg played the ball in off a throw-in and after navigating through traffic, Petra Brown lofted a ball to the top of the box for Daiutolo who blasted the ball past the leap of Buyer to give the Bullets the lead. 

Entering the second half trailing by one, Haverford continued to press for an equalizer. Goalkeeper Allie Billups took over for the Fords and was stellar, making two key saves and keeping the potent Gettysburg attack off the board to give her side a chance to climb back into the match.

The Fords' best opportunity for an equalizer came in the 70th minute when Olivia Daulerio unleashed a well-struck shot on target, only to be denied by Gettysburg's Alex Jurow, who preserved the clean sheet. Despite forcing a late corner kick in the 87th minute and a spirited offensive push in the final moments, Haverford could not find the final touch needed to level the score.

The goalkeeping tandem of Buyer and Billups combined for five saves on the afternoon, facing 15 total shots from the Bullets. Offensively, Daulerio, Murray, Emma Kirk, and Flynn all registered shots for the Haverford attack.

The Fords will look to rebound and secure their first conference points of the season when they return home to Walton Field on Wednesday, September 24, to host Ursinus. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.