COLLEGEVILLE, Pa. - Grace Haskell's 89th-minute goal lifted Haverford to a 1-0 victory over Ursinus at Patterson Field in Centennial Conference action Wednesday night. The win improves Haverford to 10-3-1 overall and 4-1-1 in conference play, while the host Bears of Ursinus fell to 5-6-2 overall and 0-5-1 in the Centennial Conference.
The match began with Haverford bringing much of the early momentum, as the Fords immediately put pressure on Ursinus goalkeeper Mandy Carideo. In just the second minute, Ella Manning tested Carideo with a low shot on goal, which the Ursinus keeper skillfully parried away. Ursinus responded with a few attacks of their own, earning multiple corner kicks in the first 10 minutes. However, Haverford's defense stood firm. Lily Buyer came up with her only save of the match in the sixth minute, denying a high shot from Ursinus forward Taylor Pezulich.
The first half continued with both teams trading opportunities, but Haverford carried the bulk of the possession. Manning and Haskell both forced Carideo into several more saves, with Haskell's close-range effort in the eighth minute a dangerous early chance for the Fords as Haskell had no one to beat but the keeper. Carideo was again up to the task, making a crucial stop to keep the match level. Haverford registered seven shots in the first half but couldn't find the back of the net.
As the second half began, Haverford ramped up the pressure. Olivia Daulerio, who provided the eventual assist on the game's lone goal, was a constant threat on the wings. In the 55th minute, Daulerio unleashed a powerful shot from the top left that was calmly saved by Carideo, who was keeping Ursinus in the game with a string of excellent saves.
The Fords relentless attack continued with a flurry of corners and shots. In the 66th minute, Manning came close once again, sending a shot over the crossbar following a corner kick. Sarah Klink also saw a header off a corner sail wide of the goal before Haskell had an attempt denied in the 84th minute.
The pivotal moment came in the 86th minute when Haverford was awarded a penalty after a foul by Ursinus defender Tehya Harvey. Haskell stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Carideo produced yet another stunning save, diving forward on the attempt to keep the game scoreless.
Haskell, who led all players in the game with five shots on target, finally broke the scoreless deadlock after receiving a well-placed pass from Olivia Daulerio and firing it into the back of the net past Carideo. The goal was Haskell's fifth of the season and served as some redemption as it came just moments after her penalty kick attempt was saved.
Haverford finished the match with 16 shots, 12 of which were on target, while Ursinus managed seven shots but only one on target. Buyer's lone save in the opening minutes helped her secure the shutout, her seventh of the season, while Carideo's 11 saves for Ursinus kept the game competitive until the very end. The Fords held an 11-6 edge in corner kicks.
Women's Soccer will now continue its Centennial Conference slate with a marquee matchup on deck for Saturday, October 19. Haverford will face off with McDaniel, a team receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, at 3 p.m. at the Green Terror Soccer Complex in Westminster, Maryland.
