LANCASTER, Pa. – In a contest between the last two programs to hoist the Centennial Conference trophy at the end of the year, the Haverford College men's soccer team dropped a hard-fought 2-1 overtime decision on the road at No. 12 Franklin & Marshall on Saturday. The Fords (3-4, 1-1 CC) took a 1-0 lead early in the second half, but the Diplomats (7-0-1, 1-0-1 CC) tied the game with just over 20 minutes to play before taking the three points in overtime.

A very possession-orientated first half did not lead to any scoring as both teams registered just two shots each during the first 45 minutes. The pace began to quicken in the second half, starting with Haverford's goal just 4:35 after the halftime break. That tally came via an own goal as a shot from Peter Baroff went off of the post and hit a Franklin & Marshall defender and bounced into the goal.

Haverford's defense kept things pretty clean in front of its own net as goalie Michael Iacono was called to make just one save before the Diplomats leveled the game at one-all. On that goal, Iacono appeared to have collected a cross but the ball was knocked out of his grasp and onto the waiting foot of Franklin & Marshall's Connor Whitacre.

Before the match went into overtime, both teams had penalty kick opportunities. F&M got its chance at a PK during the 77th minute of action, but sent that attempt sailing over the crossbar. The Fords' chance came with just over eight minutes to play, but Diplomat keeper Christopher Amoruso came up with the big save to keep the game tied.

Franklin & Marshall ended up scoring the game-winning goal just over five minutes into the first extra session as Steven Yakita got on the end of a long cross from Max Geuder and headed home the game-winning goal.

Men's soccer will look to bounce back this coming week with a pair of Centennial Conference home matches against Muhlenberg and Gettysburg. The Mules come to town on Wednesday for a 4:30 p.m. start while Gettysburg makes the trek to Walton Field next Saturday for a 2 p.m. start.