HAVERFORD, Pa. – Will Corkery delivered one of his patented direct kicks to lift the No. 22 Haverford College men's soccer team past Ursinus on Wednesday afternoon by a 2-1 score. Corkery's goal, which came with just 1:49 remaining in the first overtime session, keeps Haverford just one point back of first place in the Centennial Conference standings heading into the final game of the regular season.
The Fords (10-3-3, 7-1 CC) used direct kicks off of fouls to record both of their goals on Wednesday. Haverford's first goal came just 5:02 into the game as Dorian Wirz played a cross into the box following an Ursinus foul. Jaimon Olmsted was able to battle his way through traffic and finish for his second goal of the season. Wirz's latest assist gives him the team lead with four helpers on the season.
A resilient Ursinus side leveled the game just five minutes later as Kyle Woulfe headed home a loose ball in the box. The Fords looked as though they might have an answer in the 32nd minute, but a shot from Ben Field bounced off the crossbar and out of harm's way. Sam Miller made one save in the opening half to keep the game even heading into the break.
Haverford began to hold the better of the offensive action in the second half, but three shots on goal could not crack Bears' goalie Vince Maiorino. The Fords also had six chances at a corner kick but could not finish on the stingy Ursinus defense.
The Fords held a 4-1 advantage in shots during the overtime session. Jeremy Astesano saw the first action of the extra period but made a save in the 92nd minute of play. Maiorino made a pair of saves in the 94th and 96th minute. The Ursinus keeper also got his hands on the direct kick from Corkery but could not grab enough of a handle on the ball to keep it from rolling in for the game-winning tally. With his latest direct kick effort, Corkery moves into the top 10 in school history with his ninth career game-winning goal.
Men's soccer will close out the regular season this Saturday with a Hood Trophy point on the line against rival Swarthmore. That Centennial Conference contest will get underway at 4 p.m. The Fords will then wait for the rest of action to conclude around the conference before finding out their semifinal opponent.