COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. — Johns Hopkins defeated Ursinus 1-0 on Friday in a Centennial Conference matchup, with the visiting Blue Jays securing their second consecutive victory. Alex Gardner's 36th-minute goal proved decisive as the student-athletes from Baltimore controlled the match despite Ursinus's second-half pressure.
Gardner broke through for Johns Hopkins in the 36th minute, assisted by Arnav Patel, giving the Blue Jays a 1-0 advantage they would not relinquish. The goal came after an evenly contested first half that saw both teams create chances but neither capitalize until Gardner's breakthrough.
Johns Hopkins dominated possession and territorial advantage throughout, recording 16 shot attempts compared to Ursinus's 11. The Blue Jays' attacking prowess was evident in their 12 corner kicks versus Ursinus's single corner, reflecting their ability to sustain offensive pressure. Both teams recorded seven shots on goal, indicating Ursinus mounted a credible second-half response despite trailing.
Goalkeeper saves proved crucial in maintaining the result. Johns Hopkins goalkeeper made seven saves while Ursinus's keeper recorded six, each team's defense standing firm when tested. Matthew McFadden received a yellow card for persistent infringement in the 43rd minute, while Sean Vaghedi earned an unsporting conduct caution late for Johns Hopkins.
The second half saw Ursinus substitute five players at halftime, attempting to shift momentum and find an equalizer. Johns Hopkins countered with three halftime changes, including replacing Jacob Sardinha. Despite Ursinus's adjustments an