HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College men's soccer team celebrated Senior Day in style as the Fords (14-3, 9-0 CC) came away with a 3-0 victory against rival Swarthmore on Saturday. Haverford scored each of its three goals in the final 22 minutes of playing time to down the rival Garnet (7-8-3, 3-3-3 CC).
With its victory, Haverford became the first team since Johns Hopkins in 2006 to go unbeaten and untied in Centennial Conference play. The Fords' victory was also their 12th straight to expand upon their current school record. The Fords have now won 11 straight Centennial Conference home matches dating back to 2013, tying the program record set back in the 1970-72 seasons as a member of the Middle Atlantic Conference. The last time Haverford won nine straight conference matches in a row came during the 1980 season.
Despite a 19-3 edge in shots for the match, Haverford did not crack the scoreboard until the 69th minute of play. The Fords' opening half saw Garnet keeper Tyler Zon make five saves to keep his team level. His saves including several outstanding stops that were highlighted by a penalty kick that was stopped in the 32nd minute of play. His defense also staved off a Haverford goal with a team save on a corner in the 41st minute of play.
After having a chance at a direct kick in the first half that traveled just high of the net and another attempt that was saved, Will Corkery's set piece exploits got his team on the board in the 69th minute of play as he put a perfectly placed ball into the lower left hand corner of the net on a direct kick from just outside of the 18. His goal was his sixth of the season. Five of those have been game-winning efforts.
With a goal in hand, the speed of Ben Field paid dividends just under three minutes later. Field got by his defender with the ball in a race to the end line and was able to create enough separation for a cross in front of the net. His cross found Michael Carr, who was waiting for the finish on the far post. Carr's goal was his second of the season, while Field now has four assists on the year.
Ryan Hill capped the Haverford scoring with his goal in the 89th minute of play. This time, it was a trio of freshmen that teamed up to put the third and final goal of the afternoon in motion. Hill was the beneficiary of some crafty passing inside the box for Carr and Max Krieg. Carr is now second on the team with six assists, while Krieg's helper was his first career point with the Fords.
A strong offensive surge from the Fords throughout most of the afternoon meant Sam Miller was only called up to make a pair of saves. Both of those saves came in the opening half as Miller recorded his fifth shutout of the season. Haverford has now blanked the opposition in eight different matches this year.
Men's soccer will now gear up for the Centennial Conference Tournament which will be begin next Saturday on Walton Field. The Fords will play the winner of the first round game that is slated for Wednesday.