HAVERFORD, Pa. — The Haverford College men's soccer team (4-0-3) earned a statement victory on Tuesday evening, upsetting No. 2 Rowan (5-1-1) by a 2-0 score at Walton Field. The win marks the Fords' best start to a season since 1977 and their highest-ranked victory since knocking off then-No. 1 Franklin & Marshall on October 24, 2015.
The opening 45 minutes saw both defenses stand strong in a scoreless first half. Rowan's Ryan Cleary tested the Fords early with a header in the third minute, but Haverford goalkeeper Grayson Benson came up with the stop. The Scarlet and Black countered with several chances of their own, including a 16th-minute effort from Juan Rivera that was denied by Rowan goalkeeper C.J. Norton. Despite multiple opportunities at both ends, the teams entered the halftime break knotted at 0-0.
Haverford wasted little time breaking the deadlock after halftime. In the 48th minute, Kieran Kunihiro netted his second goal of the season, assisted by Charles Sharp. Off a long throw-in from Carter Kroenke, Sharp headed a deflected ball down into the box, where Kunihiro smashed it home to give the Fords a 1-0 lead. Rowan pushed for an equalizer, with Davide Caputo forcing a save from Benson in the 60th minute, but the Profs' momentum was halted in the 71st when Joey Kurak was shown a decisive red card.
With the advantage, the Fords doubled their lead in the 75th minute. Thomas Vanni pounced on a loose ball following a Haverford clearance and buried a low finish past Norton for his first of the season, sealing the 2-0 upset.
Kunihiro tallied the game-winning strike on his only shot of the contest, while Vanni added an insurance goal on one of his three attempts. Benson anchored the victory with three saves to record his third shutout of the year. Sharp added an assist and two shots, including one on frame.
For Rowan, Cleary was active in the attack with two shots on goal, both saved by Benson. Norton finished with four saves while conceding twice in 90 minutes of action.
The Fords now return to action on Saturday, September 20, traveling to Gettysburg, Pa., for the first Centennial Conference clash of the season against the Bullets. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m.
