Men's Soccer Topples No. 11 Messiah, 2-1

Nick Jannelli
Nick Jannelli

ROSEMONT, Pa. – The Haverford College men's soccer team, ranked No. 18 by the United Soccer Coaches, upended No. 11 Messiah by a 2-1 score on Wednesday evening. In a game that was moved to nearby Rosemont College due to wet field conditions, the Fords (2-0) scored once in each half to defeat the Falcons (2-1) for the first time in program history.

Nick Jannelli tallied both of the Fords' goals to give him his second two goal performance of the season and third of his career. The reigning Centennial Conference Rookie of the Year had a pair of rocket shots past the Falcons' keeper on what were his only two shots of the contest. Jeremy Astesano and the rest of the Haverford defense made that score stand up behind six saves as he ran his career record to 9-0-3 in net.

Jannelli first got the Fords on the board during the 21st minute of play when he tallied an unassisted goal to put his team up early in the half. That goal came on Haverford's lone shot on goal during the opening 45 minutes.

Starting quickly in the second, Jannelli finished his second goal just under eight minutes into the half. Taking a pass from Nick Montgomery, Jannelli blasted a shot just outside of the 18 for a 2-0 advantage. Jannelli now has four goals through two games and 12 for his career. He has tallied both of the team's game-winning goals this year and has three game-winners in his career. Montgomery was credited with his second assist in as many games after he also set up Jannelli during the season opener at Cabrini.

Messiah got one of those goals back in the 70th minute of play when Nick West scored from eight yards out via an unassisted goal. The Falcons held a 10-5 advantage in shots during the second half, but managed just three more shots after bringing the game back to within a single goal. Astesano recorded his final save of the evening in the 85th minute to finish with four saves during the second half. The Falcons also sent shot attempts high over the crossbar in the 78th and 89th minutes.

Jannelli was the only Fords player to finish with multiple shots on the evening. In addition to his assist, Montgomery took the only other recorded shot on goal for the Haverford side.

Men's soccer will be back in action this weekend as a part of the Jimmy Mills Tournament. Eastern will host the games on Saturday when the Fords take on Elizabethtown in a 1 p.m. start. Action in the Jimmy Mills Tournament comes to Haverford on Sunday when the Fords host Catholic in another 1 p.m. start.