HAVERFORD, Pa. – Sam Yarosh's goal with just 1:30 to play in regulation time lifted the Haverford College men's soccer team to a 2-1 victory Saturday afternoon against Muhlenberg. In a rematch of last year's Centennial Conference Championship, the Fords (11-3, 6-0 CC) won their ninth straight match overall this year. The Mules (4-7-1, 1-4-0 CC) struck first on Saturday, but Haverford answered that first half goal quickly before securing the game-winning goal in the 89th minute of play.
Haverford's ninth straight victory is now the longest consecutive streak without a loss or tie since the 1992 season when Haverford tied the program record with 10 straight wins. The Fords have won 10 matches in a row on four separate occasions. With Saturday's result, Haverford has also run off nine straight Centennial Conference wins at home dating back to the 2013 season. The Fords last won nine consecutive home conference matches as a member of the MAC with a streak that spanned the 1978 through 1981 seasons.
The Fords' offense reached its peak on corner kick opportunities on Saturday afternoon. With a total of two corner attempts in each half, the Fords netted a goal during both halves on the corner tries. In the opening half, it was Russell Nicholson who finished a header to tie the game at one. Yarosh's tally in the second half was his 13th goal of the season, six of which have been game-winning efforts. Will Corkery was credited with the assist on both Haverford goals.
Muhlenberg put the Fords under some pressure in the first half with a goal in the 26th minute of action. The Mules' Kyle Irving gave his side a 1-0 advantage when he beat his defender to get in front of goal and finish for his sixth goal of the season. The Fords' early deficit marked just the second time during this nine-match winning streak the team has found itself behind.
Just like in the other instance when Haverford was down a goal against Dickinson, the Fords were quick to respond. With a corner kick try in the 31st minute of play, Nicholson headed home the pass for his second goal of the month after also scoring against Rutgers-Camden. Haverford had another quality look in the 39th minute of play to take the lead, but a shot from Ben Field bounced off the post as the teams went into the half tied at one each.
Haverford began to settle in during the second half and was able to rack up a 7-2 edge in shots over the final 45 minutes of action. However, it would take every single one of those seven shots as the final one ended up being the game-winning effort. Yarosh now has 29 goals for his Haverford career. Today's goal was the 10th game-winning effort of the bunch, bringing him to third overall in program history with Steve Novek '81. Frank Adamson '98 and Rich Billings '00 currently hold the program record with 12 game-winning goals in their respective careers.
With two more assists to add to his season total, Corkery has now set up 11 goals on the season. Today's match was his fourth multi-assist game of the season. His assist total is now tied for the top mark in the Centennial Conference.
Men's soccer will now have a full week to prepare for its showdown with No. 1 Franklin & Marshall. The Diplomats will take on Muhlenberg this Tuesday. As the last two unbeaten teams in conference play, the Fords and Diplomats will meet next Saturday at 2 p.m. on Walton Field.