HAVERFORD, Pa. – After controlling the pace of the match for almost the entire afternoon, the Haverford College men's soccer team got a goal from Michael Carr in the 103rd minute against Stevenson to claim a 1-0 victory on Walton Field Tuesday afternoon.
The Fords (10-4) outshot the visiting Mustangs (9-7-1) by a 24-7 total and racked up an 11-5 advantage in corner kicks during the team's final non-conference match of the regular season. Haverford has now won seven straight matches heading into the team's final two Centennial Conference contests of the regular season.
Carr's goal came shortly after what would be the Fords' last needed chance at a corner. Although the insert into the 18 originally resulted in a deflected shot off the foot of Noah Schwab, Carr was in position to redirect that defensive block into the back of the net. Haverford's goal came on the team's ninth shot on goal of the match.
A senior captain, Carr is now the fifth player on the Fords to record multiple goals this season. Carr also scored the game-winning goal against Gettysburg earlier this season, while five of his seven career goals have been game-winning efforts. Schwab was credited with the first assist of his rookie campaign on the play.
Although that goal – which came with 6:38 remaining in the second overtime – was the first time the Fords fully cracked the Stevenson defense, Haverford had several other close calls throughout the match. A pair of Mustang defensive saves during the 53rd and 99th minutes of play were the only things that prevented a Haverford victory in regulation and prolonged the overtime session.
The two sides started out the contest fairly even with the host Fords holding just a 4-3 advantage in shots following 45 minutes of play. Stevenson appeared to have taken a 1-0 lead late in the opening half, only to see that play brought back due to an offside call. From the start of the second half on, Haverford outshot Stevenson by a 20-4 margin. Nick Jannelli recorded eight shots in the win, while Peter Baroff and Sykes Cargile finished the match with four and three shots, respectively.
Jeremy Astesano got the starting nod in goal and recorded the ninth shutout of his career during his 25th career start. Astesano's career goals against average dropped to 0.98, the third-best mark in school history. Getting healthy late in the season, the senior has not allowed a goal in his 148:22 of playing time in 2018 and holds a 2-0 record this season as he finished as the goalie of record during both of his appearances.
Men's soccer will continue its busy week with a Centennial Conference match Thursday at 3:30 p.m. against Muhlenberg back on Walton Field. The Fords can clinch home field advantage for the Centennial Conference Tournament with a win in that match.