HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College men's soccer team topped Washington College by a 2-0 score on Wednesday evening to stay unbeaten in Centennial Conference play. The Fords (6-3, 3-0 CC) capitalized on a pair of free kicks in each half to overtake the Shoremen (4-5, 0-3 CC) and maintain a share of the top spot in the Centennial Conference.
Will Corkery connected on a direct kick to open the scoring in the 16th minute of play as he found the back on the net on his set piece from just under 30 yards. Maclyn Willigan was the able to get a header on the Fords' set piece in the second half to put an insurance goal on the board in the 72nd minute.
Haverford's offense set the tone for the game early with a couple quick chances in the early portion of the match. However, after watching the first shot travel wide of net and the second attempt be saved by Washington College's Josh Samuels the Fords would not have to wait much longer. Following a Shoremen foul, Corkery took care of business himself to put the Fords up 1-0 with his second goal of the season on the direct kick. Haverford looked as though it may have its second goal of the night in the 35th minute, but a save from Samuels on a shot from Colin Seitz kept the game a one goal difference at the break.
Action in the second half started off with a pair of near misses for each side. Washington College's Chris Lewandowski headed a ball that banged off the post in the 53rd minute of play. Just under two minutes later, Willigan knocked his header off the crossbar as the game remained 1-0 in favor of Haverford.
Nevertheless, Willigan got his second chance with just over 19 minutes to play in regulation time. Playing a set piece from Corkery, the Fords' distributor found Willigan for a header in the box and a 2-0 lead. Willigan's goal was his first of the season and third of his career. Corkery's assist was his team-leading sixth of the season.
The Fords finished the game with an 11-9 edge in shots for the contest. Willigan, Brady Seitz, and Max Krieg each had two shots for the night. Corkery scored on his only shot, while four other players also tallied a single shot. In goal for the Fords, reigning Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week, Sam Miller posted his fourth straight shutout. He has not allowed a goal in the last 379:52 of match time.
Men's soccer is now tied with Franklin & Marshall for the top spot in the Centennial Conference with identical 3-0 records. The Fords will now travel to Gettysburg this Saturday. The Bullets, ranked No. 19 in the latest NSCAA Poll, will be coming off of a tough 2-1 overtime defeat at the hands of Johns Hopkins this evening. Saturday's match between the Fords and Bullets will get underway at 7 p.m.