ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The Haverford College men's soccer team scored three second half goals to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 road victory on Wednesday night at Muhlenberg. The Fords (4-3-2, 2-1 CC) trailed the Mules (6-2-2, 0-2-1 CC) by a 2-0 score with less than 30 minutes to play in the matchup of regionally-ranked opponents. Undeterred, Haverford tied the game with two goals which came just 4:17 apart before Nick Jannelli scored the game-winning goal with just under 10 minutes left in regulation time.
Jannelli's goal was his second of the night as the Fords' senior captain got the offense jump-started with a penalty kick goal during the 61st minute of play. After the Mules were whistled for a hand ball inside of the box, Jannelli calmly delivered his 11th career penalty kick goal into the back of the net.
Even though the Fords needed just over four more minutes to tie the score, Haverford nearly found the equalizer much quicker as Kevin Kaufman blasted a shot off of the crossbar that ricocheted straight down but was ruled not have crossed the line. Nevertheless, Andrew Peebles leveled the match for Haverford during the 66th minute of play. Peebles' goal was the second of his first-year campaign and came off the long pass from Ben Ward who was credited with the first point of his rookie campaign on that game-tying goal.
With the game clock winding under 10 minutes, Haverford went back to the reigning Centennial Conference Player of the Year and Jannelli delivered his ninth goal this season off an assist from Noah Schwab to give the Fords the only lead they would need all night.
Jannelli's second goal was the 43rd of his career, tying him with Sturgis Poorman '67 for sixth in the Haverford record books. He added to his program record with the 16th game-winning goal of his career while running his career point total up to 104. Schwab was credited with his first assist this season and second of his career for setting up that game-winning tally.
Haverford was forced into rally mode after host Muhlenberg scored a goal during each half of play. The Mules took an early 1-0 lead during the 35th minute as Victor Jacobs was able to get his shot just over the arms of Haverford goalie Dylan Ioffreda. Muhlenberg was up 2-0 just under five minutes into the second half as Stephen Carton found the back of the net, but seven total saves from Ioffreda on a slick surface from rain throughout the match kept Muhlenberg within striking distance for the eventual come-from-behind victory.
Muhlenberg finished with a slight 18-17 advantage in shots, but the Fords held a 7-3 in corner kick chances. Two of the Mules' three corner kick attempts came during the final 10 minutes after Haverford had taken a 3-2 lead. However, the Fords' defense did not let either of those shot attempts following corner kicks to reach the goal.
Men's soccer will be back on the road this Saturday for another regionally-ranked matchup against Gettysburg. That contest will also be played under the lights as it is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.