SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Haverford College men's soccer team (4-8-5, 2-5-2 CC) earned a 2-1 win over rival Swarthmore (6-7-4, 1-6-2, CC) at Clothier Field on Saturday night, scoring two goals in the first seven minutes before hanging on for the crucial road win. Swarthmore held a slight 11-10 edge in shots, while The Fords held a 3-1 lead in corner kicks on the evening. 

Haverford tallied its opening goal in the fifth minute of action, with the  goal coming from Luca Mello. Mello charged down into the box and fired as his attempt deflected off a Swarthmore defender and into the back of the net. 

On the very next offensive chance, Haverford tallied yet again as Brian Lorenz sent a ball from the backfield into the waiting foot of Tomas Ascoli, who delivered a strong cross to senior Paul-Andre Coulibaly. Coulibaly added his team-leading fifth goal of the season to double the lead. Swarthmore pulled a goal back in the 31st minute, with Joseph Eyiolowope finishing off a feed from Oliver Garcia, as Haverford headed to the halftime intermission clinging to a one-goal lead. 

The Fords charged forward with shots on frame from Max Mouer in the 60th before Liam O'Malley and Tomas Ascoli also had decent scoring looks down the stretch. Haverford looked to be the more in rhythm team offensively, but could not find a third tally. In the 82nd minute of action, Swarthmore appeared to earn a potentially game-shifting penalty, but the Garnet were deemed to be caught offside as Haverford took over possession. 

In total, the Fords fired five shots down the stretch and earned one corner in the second period. O'Malley had the final shot of the contest for either side in the 87th minute, but the Fords were content to play for possession down the stretch, wrapping up a crucial Hood Trophy point with the triumph.

The victory was Haverford's first in the annual rivalry series with the Garnet since a 3-1 win in November of 2019.