HAVERFORD, Pa. - The TCNJ men's soccer team wrapped up its non-conference slate with a match against Haverford Tuesday afternoon, falling 2-1 to the Fords.
 
After an up-and-down start to the contest, it was Haverford (7-0-6, 1-0-3 Centennial) capitalizing on its first chance to take a 1-0 lead just under eight minutes in. The Lions (5-3-4, 0-2-1, NJAC) struggled to create scoring opportunities for the remainder of the half against a defense that had allowed just six goals in its first 12 games, and were held without a shot through the opening 45 minutes for the first time all season.
 
TCNJ came out with a different energy in the second half, registering its first two shots as well as a pair of corners in the first 10 minutes before Chris Meder was the first to get a shot on goal at the 59:18 mark. The junior's near-post volley attempt was denied, however, with the Fords' Grayson Benson making the save to keep the Lions off the board.
 
Play slowed in the ensuing 20 minutes before Meder would get another chance in the 80th minute via a penalty kick. The junior found himself on the spot after drawing the foul and did not waste his second opportunity, sending the ball into the bottom corner to level the game at one.
 
Carson Dodd made a pair of saves in goal in the hopes of keeping the game tied with under 10 minutes to go, but a redirected shot just outside the six found its way past the freshman to give Haverford a 2-1 advantage at the 83:41 mark.
 
The Fords sat back defensively after retaking the lead, holding TCNJ without a shot in the final six minutes to hand the Lions a 2-1 loss in its final non-conference game of the regular season.
 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• The Lions were outshot 11-4 in the contest and 4-2 in shots on goal.
  • Meder was the only TCNJ player to register a shot on frame.

NOTES

• Meder's goal was his team-best sixth of the season and first since September 20 – also coming via a penalty kick – pushing his point total to 17.

UP NEXT

• TCNJ returns to NJAC play with a matchup against Ramapo Saturday, October 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.