BRYN MAWR, Pa. — The No. 16 Haverford College field hockey team (12–3, 6–2 CC) dropped a hard-fought 2-1 decision at Bryn Mawr (7–9, 2–6 CC) on Wednesday afternoon. Despite a strong defensive showing and a fourth-quarter equalizer from Naomi York, the Fords were edged by a late goal in the final minute on Shillingford Field.
The opening quarter saw both defenses hold firm as Steph Ionescu turned away several early Bryn Mawr chances, including shots from Leya Patel and Addison Graupensperg. Haverford earned a penalty corner in the 12th minute, but Alice Stein's ensuing shot was stopped by Charlene Basque. The first 15 minutes closed scoreless.
Haverford continued to control much of the possession in the second quarter, generating another penalty corner from Abigail Trapp that led to a quality attempt by York, but Bryn Mawr's goalie once again made the save. Ionescu stood tall at the other end, denying the Owls on multiple corners to keep the game knotted 0–0 entering halftime.
After the break, Haverford created a flurry of opportunities with three straight penalty corners taken by Brynn Bickel, including a strong strike from Holly Vincent that was turned aside. Bryn Mawr broke through moments later with a penalty stroke goal in the 38th minute to take a 1–0 lead.
The Fords answered early in the fourth as York netted her team-leading 10th goal of the season at 45:21 to draw Haverford even. Trapp carried the ball into the circle through traffic, slicing through the Bryn Mawr defense before firing a well-timed entry pass in front of the cage, where York was perfectly positioned to slip the ball through Basque's legs and into the back of the cage.
The visitors continued to press, with Louisa Coughlin testing the Bryn Mawr defense and several menacing corners earning additional looks at goal.
However, the Owls capitalized on a penalty corner in the final minute, as the set play was executed to perfection. Povich inserted to Werndlij for the stop, and Barilla fired home the finish with 36 seconds remaining to reclaim the lead and secure the 2-1 result, her second goal of the contest.
York finished with three shots (two on target) and one goal. Ionescu made four saves across 60 minutes in the cage, while Stein and Coughlin each added a shot on goal.
The Fords return home to Swan Field on Saturday October 25, hosting No. 2 Johns Hopkins in a pivotal Centennial Conference matchup on Senior Day. Game time is set for 12 p.m.
