IMMACULATA, Pa. — The Haverford College men's soccer team (1-0-0) opened the 2026 season in convincing fashion Tuesday afternoon, defeating Immaculata (0-1-0) by a 3-0 final at Draper Walsh Stadium. With the victory, the Fords extended their program-record unbeaten streak to 21 consecutive matches after finishing the 2025 campaign with a 10-0-10 record.
Haverford controlled the action from the opening whistle, generating sustained pressure in the attacking third before breaking through in the 12th minute. Carter Kroenke provided the first goal of the new campaign at the 11:10 mark, putting the Fords ahead 1-0 with the first goal of his collegiate career, after finishing off a through ball from Charles Sharp.
The Fords continued to dictate play throughout the opening half, piling up 16 shots and seven corner kicks while limiting the Mighty Macs to just three attempts. Immaculata goalkeeper Luca Greppellini helped keep the hosts within striking distance with four first-half saves as Haverford carried its one-goal advantage into halftime.
Haverford quickly reestablished its attacking presence following the intermission. The Fords generated 15 more shots and nine corner kicks over the final 45 minutes, eventually doubling the advantage in the 60th minute. Jonathan D'Amour found the back of the net at 59:53 for his first goal of the season, giving Haverford some breathing room with a 2-0 lead.
The Fords put the finishing touches on the season-opening victory in the 75th minute. Connor Gustafson converted at the 74:41 mark off an assist from John Dowd, pushing the advantage to 3-0. The third tally came off a beautfiul set piece cross from Thomas Vanni that curled into the box. After the ball got knocked around deflected off Dowd, the first year struck the ball into the back of the net for the first goal of his collegiate career.
Haverford finished the afternoon with a commanding 31-4 advantage in shots, placing 10 attempts on goal while holding Immaculata to just one. The Fords also earned 16 corner kicks compared to five for the Mighty Macs.
Dowd led a balanced Haverford attack with four shots, while Aiden Lee, Gustafson, Vanni, Saylen Cardoni, Chase D'Antonio, and Sho Nadata each registered three attempts. Gustafson and Cardoni each put two shots on frame.
Making his first collegiate start in goal, Will Ossmann turned aside the lone Immaculata shot on goal to record the shutout. The Haverford defense allowed just one shot over the final 45 minutes to secure the clean sheet.
The Fords, now unbeaten in 21 consecutive matches dating back to the beginning of the 2025 season, return to action Friday, September 4, traveling to Camden, N.J., for a neutral-site matchup against Stockton at 4 p.m., before taking on Rutgers-Camden on Saturday, September 5, at 7:00 p.m., as part of the two-match Cialella Soccer Classic
