HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College men's soccer team was lifted by an overtime game-winner for the second consecutive Saturday, as Andrew Stephens drilled his first career goal in the 96th minute to send Haverford (5-6-1, 3-2 CC) to a sudden 1-0 victory over Ursinus (6-5, 2-3 CC) on Walton Field. Haverford has now posted three consecutive shutouts to begin the month and has played in six overtime contests this season, with five triumphs in the extra frames.
In the first 45 minutes of action, the Fords looked strong with great looks on frame. Senior captain Noah Schwab was denied by mere centimeters in the 22nd minute, as his long-range rocket glanced off the crossbar and out of danger. Brian Lorenz also had a trio of early salvos dealt with by the Ursinus defense, while Alex Millones and Andrew Peebles notched shots on frame that Tyler Lewin was called into action to deny.
The second half saw both sides hungry for an opening goal, and Ursinus had chances of their own down the stretch from Luke Luehers and Marco Grenda. Ioffreda made a stop in the 80th minute on a Luehers attempt, and Nick Balbierer also fired wide in the 83rd. Ursinus owned the final two shots of regulation, with Grenda putting a pair on frame including a dangerous attempt off a set piece that Ioffreda cleared before having the ball bounce around the goal line.
In the overtime period, was the latest hero for a team that has had many in a 3-0 win streak to begin October. After the two teams traded salvos for 90 minutes of action, the extra period began with the Bears taking the upper hand in momentum with two early strikes.
Dylan Ioffreda was there to deny Kevin Devlin, and the Fords eventually got the offensive rhythm in their attacking third. Matt Heim bounced a volley to Stephens, and Stephens connected with a header to send the Fords to a raucous celebration.
Ioffreda has now recorded shutouts in back-to-back conference contests. The Fords and Bears played an evenly matched contest with Ursinus firing 12 shots to 11 for Haverford. The visitors tallied three corners while Haverford added a pair.
Haverford has won 12 consecutive matchups against Ursinus, a stretch that also includes seven consecutive home victories against the Bears. Haverford is 69-11-5 all-time against Ursinus.
The Fords next return to action with a non-conference home game against Drew on Tuesday. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. on Walton Field.