HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College men's soccer team finished level with Rowan to wrap up the Jimmy Mills Classic on Swan Field Sunday afternoon, as the two sides settled for a 2-2 draw. Haverford remains unbeaten with a 1-0-3 record so far this season while Rowan now also holds a 1-0-3 record this season.
The Fords got on the scoreboard first, striking in the 14th minute of action. Haverford earned a corner and Juan Rivera played it short. After a few passes, the ball found its way back to the waiting foot of Rivera, who slid a pass across the goalmouth to Joey Carol, who was able to knock in the opening tally towards the far post.
Haverford doubled its advantage just seconds before the halftime whistle, as a foul was called in the box with the Fords sprinting down the field on a last-ditch attempt to get on the board again before intermission. A penalty kick was awarded to the hosts, with Cyrus Nasseri burying his first goal of the season with a strong, well-placed strike from the spot.Rowan held a slight 6-5 lead in shots at the half, while holding a 3-2 edge in corner kicks.
In the second period, the two sides began to feel each other out and get a sense for the offensive gameplans to come. Haverford was the more physical team to begin the second, but Rowan relied heavily on Johnny Troiano, as he was seemingly involved in every offensive attempt in the early goings of the second. In the 72nd minute, Rowan pulled a goal back as Troiano took a strong cross from Jason Barragan and slotted a ball towards the far post. With a renewed sense of urgency, the Profs went back to work.
In the 84th minute, Rowan's touches on the perimeter of the box eventually found the foot of Davide Caputo. Caputo fired a perfectly placed pass into Troiano, as the lofting ball initially hit off his chest. Troiano fired a one-time volley past Dylan Ioffreda to level the score with just 6:44 remaining on the regulation clock.
The Fords went back to work earning a trio of corners in the waning moments. Alex Millones got a shot on frame in the 87th minute, and with less than 10 seconds left, the Fords had one last corner try. Nasseri rocketed a ball into the box, but Max Mouer's attempt at a buzzer-beater sailed high of frame forcing the Fords into the third draw of the season.
Troiano fired a game-high seven shots, putting three on frame. Nasseri and Carol each had two shots for the Fords. Ioffreda made five saves while Dylan Aportela made two for Rowan.
The Fords will now return to action on Wednesday, September 13 with a non-conference trek to Arcadia to take on the Knights. The contest is slated to begin at 7 p.m. in Glenside.