COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. – The Haverford College men's soccer team (7-2-1, 1-2 CC) battled Ursinus (5-3-1, 2-1 CC) through a scoreless opening half before the Bears struck three times after the intermission, handing the Fords a 3-0 setback in Centennial Conference action Wednesday evening at Patterson Field.
The Fords controlled much of the territory during the opening 45 minutes, earning four corner kicks while limiting the Bears to just two shots. Grayson Benson was called upon for the first time in the ninth minute, turning aside an attempt from Noah Huber to keep the contest scoreless.
Haverford began to create opportunities of its own midway through the period. Connor Gustafson sent an attempt wide in the 23rd minute before Charles Sharp produced the Fords' best chance of the half three minutes later, putting a shot on frame that forced Ursinus goalkeeper Josiah Moore into a save.
The Scarlet and Black continued to push forward late in the half. Aidan Wong generated an attempt in the 42nd minute before Thomas Zamsky fired wide in the 45th, as the two sides entered the intermission deadlocked at 0-0. Haverford held a 4-2 advantage in both shots and corner kicks through the opening 45 minutes.
Ursinus came out on the front foot following the break, earning three corner kicks over the opening six minutes of the second half. The Bears eventually broke the deadlock in the 56th minute when Matthew McFadden converted a penalty kick at 55:10 to put the hosts ahead 1-0.
Just over a minute later, Ursinus was awarded another penalty kick. Benson came up with the initial stop, denying McFadden from the spot, but Nicholas Grippa was first to the rebound and converted at 56:34 to quickly double the Bears' advantage.
Haverford responded by pushing numbers forward in search of a way back into the contest. Thomas Vanni generated a pair of attempts in the 69th minute before John Dowd fired wide moments later. Austin Branch added another opportunity in the 75th minute as the Fords continued to apply pressure.
Benson kept Haverford within striking distance with a save on Michael McCool in the 65th minute, while Ryan O'Neill struck the woodwork for Ursinus in the 72nd. The Bears eventually added an insurance goal at 79:59, with O'Neill heading home a corner kick from Joseph Kmetz to extend the advantage to 3-0.
The Fords continued to battle through the closing minutes, with Gustafson generating another attempt in the 82nd, but Haverford was unable to find a breakthrough against the Ursinus back line.
Ursinus finished with a 13-9 advantage in shots and a 9-6 edge in corner kicks. Haverford held the Bears to just two shots during the opening half before the hosts generated 11 attempts over the final 45 minutes. Benson finished with four saves in goal for the Scarlet and Black.
Haverford returns home Saturday, Oct. 3, welcoming Washington College to Walton Field for a Centennial Conference matchup as part of Homecoming. Opening kick is slated for 3 p.m.
