ST. DAVIDS, Pa. — The Haverford College men's soccer team (2-0-2) battled back from an early deficit to defeat Eastern (0-2) on Friday afternoon at Olson Field. After conceding in the first half, the Fords responded with two second-half goals and leaned on a composed defensive effort to close out an impressive win. Haverford is now unbeaten in its first four contests to begin the 2025 season, as the Fords are on pace with the 2023 team that was unbeaten in its first six to begin the year.
Eastern struck first in the 27th minute when João Tarabal finished off a pass from Haroon Husseini. The Eagles' first-half lead was preserved by goalkeeper Ty Bleiler, who denied
Max McKinney in the opening minute and parried away a dangerous effort from
Thomas Vanni just moments later. Despite Haverford's pressure, including multiple corners and three shots on target, Eastern carried a 1-0 advantage into the break.
The match turned quickly after halftime.
Juan Rivera leveled the score with a penalty strike in the 49th minute, calmly placing his shot past Bleiler. From there, the Fords pressed forward with sustained attacks.
The breakthrough came in the 72nd minute when McKinney delivered the decisive moment. Collecting a floater near the top of the box, he struck cleanly, sending the ball past the leaping keeper for what proved to be a game-winner.
Eastern pushed for a response, with Mauro Lence coming closest on an effort that drifted wide late in the half. The Fords defense held firm, allowing only three shots on goal over 90 minutes, while their attack produced 11 shots on target.
Rivera finished with a goal and two shots on target, while Vanni was active with four attempts, three on frame. McKinney tallied the match-winner on one of his two shots. Goalkeeper
Grayson Benson added two saves in the opening half.
For Eastern, Tarabal scored on one of his two attempts and Husseini contributed both an assist and two shots. Bleiler was the standout performer for the hosts, making nine saves, seven of them after halftime, to keep the Eagles in contention.
The Fords now take the unbeaten streak on the road for two more contests, with a midweek battle against Penn State Abington (4 p.m.) up next on Wednesday, September 10 before a weekend showdown at Susquehanna (4 p.m.) on Saturday, September 13.
