CENTER VALLEY, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team leveled its record at 3-3 with a commanding 2-0 shutout over DeSales (1-6) at the DeSales University Turf Fields Wednesday evening. The Fords dominated offensively, outshooting DeSales 18-5, including a 14-2 advantage in shots on goal. Haverford also earned 11 penalty corners, while DeSales registered 13, but the Fords' defense stood strong, keeping the Bulldogs off the scoreboard through 60 minutes.
Haverford wasted no time getting on the board, capitalizing on a penalty corner in just the third minute. Zoey Despines received the entry pass from Erica Pardón and swiftly sent a one-time pass across the circle to Louisa Coughlin, who unleashed a powerful, lofting shot past DeSales goalkeeper Alyssa Schlossman to give the Fords an early 1-0 lead. The goal marked the sophomore's first career tally in field hockey, as the two-sport standout also notched eight goals during her rookie lacrosse season last spring.
The Fords doubled their lead in the second quarter, finding the back of the cage in the 19th minute. Naomi York gained possession at midfield, dribbled into the circle, and flicked a well-placed pass to the stick of Despines, who expertly redirected the ball over Schlossman for her first goal of the season and second goal contribution of the match.
Haverford controlled the tempo throughout the first half, recording 12 shots compared to just one for DeSales. Though the Bulldogs earned five penalty corners in the opening two quarters, Fords' goalkeeper Mary Smith was called upon for just one save, denying a Jordyne Strong shot off a corner in the 25th minute.
The Fords continued their offensive onslaught in the third quarter, creating three penalty corners and four shots in the first eight minutes. Although they couldn't add a third goal, Smith made another key save on Strong from a penalty corner, keeping Haverford firmly in control entering the final period.
In the fourth quarter, Haverford earned a penalty corner in the 49th minute, leading to a shot from Despines, followed by a Coughlin attempt that sailed wide in the 50th minute. The Fords didn't record another shot after that, but managed to stifle DeSales' attempts to rally. An Anna Bosch shot off a penalty corner went wide in the 53rd minute, and Brooke Sodi's shot was redirected in the 57th minute. DeSales' final effort to get on the scoreboard in the 60th minute fell short when Delani Remp's shot drifted wide of the cage.
Despines had a game-best seven shots on target, while York, Coughlin, and Ileana Rodriguez each fired two. Smith finished with a pair of saves.
Field Hockey is now 4-0 against DeSales since the series was revived for the 2021 campaign. The Fords now turn their attention to Centennial Conference play, with a matchup at Dickinson scheduled for 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 28. Haverford will then return home on Wednesday, October 2, for a non-conference contest against Susquehanna at 7 p.m.
