GETTYSBURG, Pa. - The Haverford College men's soccer team (1-1-6, 0-0-2 CC) drew level with host Gettysburg (2-3-2, 0-0-2 CC) on Saturday evening at Clark Field, battling windy and rainy conditions in the first Centennial Conference road contest of the season.
Andrew Fritz and Brian Lorenz attempted early shots in the first three minutes of action, as Haverford looked to nab the first goal. Kevin Muhic did well to deny an early attempt from Fritz, and Brian Lorenz also saw a pair of shots sail wide of the goal.
The turning point arrived in the 21st minute when Cyrus Nasseri capitalized on a great opportunity, scoring an unassisted goal to put Haverford ahead 1-0. Aidan Lacy brought the ball up the left side of the field, weaving through traffic before serving up a bounding pass across goal that was initially dealt with by the Gettysburg defense.
The clearance header attempt from a Gettysburg defender found the foot of Nasseri, who used some fancy footwork to beat a defender and then fired from the top of the box, freezing Muhic and slotting a shot towards the near post to open the scoring. The tally was the third goal of the season for Nasseri, who has now tied for the team lead in that category.
Gettysburg didn't relent. As the first half unfolded, the hosts launched an offensive onslaught. James Blake, Noah Holgado, and Michael Sack all tested Dylan Ioffreda with multiple shots, but the Haverford goalkeeper held his ground.
With just 1:04 showing on the clock before halftime, Gettysburg tallied the equalizer. A long throw-in by Max Sams bounced off the head of a Haverford defender and back to the foot of Sams. Sams recollected the ball and sent a strong, looping cross into the box. The pass landed right in front of the far post, where Blake was in perfect position to slide in a stunning goal.
The second half saw the hosts test Ioffreda with some regularity, as the Haverford keeper denied Blake, Tae Won Lillig and Holgado in the first 20 minutes of the stanza. Tomas Ascoli had the lone Haverford shot of the second stanza, but the Fords held strong, facing 10 Gettysburg shots in the final 45 minutes of play.
Ioffreda finished with four saves on the evening. Gettysburg held a 17-6 edge in shots, with Ioffreda and the Haverford defense having an outstanding night to keep things level. The Bullets also notched eight corner kicks to just two for the Fords.
Haverford now continues Centennial Conference play on Wednesday, September 27 welcoming defending CC champions Muhlenberg to Walton Field for a 4 p.m. contest.