HAVERFORD, Pa. – The No. 19 Haverford College field hockey team recorded a 2-0 victory over Ithaca Saturday afternoon during Haverford's annual Family & Friends Weekend. The Fords improve to 13-5 on the season with the win. Ithaca falls to 12-6 on the year. Head coach Jackie Cox's team recorded the opening shot in the seventh minute from Lindsey Turner, but it was saved. Steph Ionescu stepped up two minutes later, thwarting an opportunity by the visitors.
Haverford scored what turned out to be the match-winning goal at the 16:53 mark. Haverford earned a penalty corner that Erica Pardón inserted. The ball found Louisa Coughlin at the top of the circle, and Naomi York deflected in her team-leading 11th of the season to open the scoring. The team continued pushing forward. Holly Vincent tallied shots in the 20th and 22nd minutes, but both opportunities were foiled. Caroline Frost's attempt was saved by a defender in the 23rd minute of play.
The Fords had chances in the 24th and 26th minutes, respectively. However, Carolina Sanchez's attempt was saved while Poppy Swallow's shot went wide of the goal. A late chance by Ithaca was stopped by Ionescu, keeping the contest at 1-0 entering the second half.
Haverford controlled the third quarter. The home squad accounted for all five shots in the period. Alice Stein found the back of the net off an assist from Pardón to double the Haverford avantage to 2-0. Vincent had two attempts, including one that was saved. York's shot was wide while Swallow's attempt was blocked. The Fords had two of the three shots in the final quarter. Lily Gover's two shots were stopped while Ionescu turned away a last-second shot on an untimed penalty corner, preserving the shutout.
Haverford tallied 14 shots compared to four by the visitors. The Fords accounted for 10 shots on goal and earned four corners. Ionescu stopped all three shots to pick up her fifth shutout of the season.
Haverford will now turn its attention to the Centennial Conference first-round match slated for Tuesday, November 4 as Haverford marks its second consecutive Centennial playoff appearance. Fifth-seeded Haverford will travel to fourth-seeded Swarthmore in a matchup at Clothier Field. Game times will be confirmed on Monday's pre-championship conference calls.
