HAVERFORD, Pa. – Julien Calas picked the right time to score his first collegiate goal. The freshman broke a scoreless tie in the 89th minute to give the Haverford College men's soccer team its first Centennial Conference victory in exactly three years with a 1-0 win over Ursinus College on Wednesday afternoon.
Haverford's (4-4-0, 1-2-0 CC) last conference win came on Sept. 30, 2006, a 2-0 shutout over Washington College. Oddly enough the game-winning goal was scored by senior co-captain Chris Dioguardi – a freshman in 2006.
The first half saw just seven shots with six coming from the Fords. The second half had more action, but both teams struggled to find pay dirt. Haverford took seven shots to Ursinus' (1-6-1, 0-3-0 CC) six. Fernando Gracia came close to breaking the stalemate in the 58th minute with a strong shot from the right wing that was stopped by a diving Mike Alfieri. That was HC's only shot on goal until Calas delivered the game-winner.
With 1 minute, 52 seconds showing on the scoreboard Alfieri came out of the box, but Calas got past him and a Bears defender to knock in the ball to an open net from inside the 18 yard line.
Alfieri made three saves for Ursinus while freshman Charlie Michele stopped three shots and recorded a shutout in his first collegiate start in goal for the Fords.
Haverford will be back in action Saturday when they travel to Franklin & Marshall College for a 7 p.m. start.