Men's Soccer Sinks Washington College, 2-1

HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College men's soccer team picked up another three points towards the Centennial Conference standings with a 2-1 victory over Washington College on Sunday. The Fords (7-4, 4-1 CC) did all of their damage in the second half, while the Shoremen (4-6-3, 1-3-2 CC) scored late in regulation but never saw a quality chance at a late equalizer.

The Fords held the quantity of the chances throughout the match and were doubling up the Shoremen in shots at the half, 6-3, while also holding a 5-1 advantage in corner kick attempts after 45 minutes. Nevertheless, two saves from each keeper during that time keep the match scoreless heading into the second half. Haverford's best chance to score during the first half saw a shot from Reiss Berger hit off the crossbar and ricochet down, but it never crossed over the end line before WAC was able to clear the ball out of harm's way.

Haverford did not have to wait much longer after the halftime break to find the match's first goal as the Fords had a couple early chances at more corner kicks to begin the second half. On the first try during the 50th minute of play, a header from Noah Schwab was denied by WAC goalie Josh Samuels. However, the Fords broke through 8:11 into the second half as Nick Jannelli saw his initial pass into the box cleared out. He will still in position to send the ball back into the box as it hit off of Peter Baroff and into the goal for the 1-0 advantage. Baroff's goal was his third this season.

In addition to his assist, Jannelli added an insurance goal himself as he collected a pass from Michael Carr and found the upper right hand corner of the goal despite a slight deflection from the Shoremen defense. Carr's assist was his third this season and 12th of the captain's career. Jannelli now has a team-leading seven goals and five assists this season after his three-point outing on Sunday.

Jannelli now leads the Centennial Conference in points (19) as he is tied for the conference lead in assists (5) and just one off the pace of the top goal scorer in the conference with seven goals this season. Today's match moved him up to sole possession of 17th in school history with 68 career points. The junior's 28 career goals are tied for 15th in school history with Bruce Brownell '73 and Dan Braz '93.

That goal ended up looming large as Washington College scored just over 30 seconds after the Fords took a 2-0 advantage as Evan Savoth hammered home a corner kick try. Haverford's defense would not allow a shot the rest of the way, holding on to the 2-1 victory. Jannelli's game-winner was the 11th of his career, moving him to within one of the school record currently held by Hall of Achievement honoree Evan Jones '49, and Centennial Conference Silver Anniversary team representatives Frank Adamson '98 and Rich Billings '00.

Haverford finished the match with a 10-4 advantage in shots, putting five of those attempts on target. Nick John and Schwab were the only Fords to tally a pair of shots during the victory. Haverford goalie Michael Iacono made two saves in goal to record his seventh victory this season.

Men's soccer will head out on the road for its next match at Ursinus this coming Wednesday. That contest will get underway at 7:30 p.m. under the lights in Collegeville. Haverford returns home to Walton Field next Saturday for a 3 p.m. start against Dickinson where the Fords will honor the members of their senior class prior to kick off against first place Dickinson. Haverford trails the Red Devils by just one point in the conference standings, but has also played one fewer Centennial match so far this season.