SWARTHMORE, Pa. — The 19th-ranked Haverford College field hockey team (14-5) secured a decisive 2-0 victory over Swarthmore (10-9) on the road in the Centennial Conference first round game at Clothier Field, advancing to the conference semifinals for the first time since 2017.
The Fords' performance was highlighted by timely offense and the sixth shutout of the season from goalkeeper Steph Ionescu.
The first quarter began with the Fords earning three penalty corners within the first 6:25, initiated by Erica Pardón, Abigail Trapp, and Naomi York. Despite these early opportunities, Haverford was unable to capitalize as the period concluded scoreless.
Pardón broke through early in the second quarter with her eighth goal of the season, assisted by Alice Stein, at the 16:57 mark. The tally came shortly after Stein's initial shot was stopped by a defensive save from Zoe Larsen during a scramble in front of the cage.
Haverford maintained a strong defensive stance throughout the third quarter, with Ionescu making a crucial kick save on a shot by Hayley Harris in the 42nd minute.
The Fords extended their lead early in the fourth quarter as Stein netted her 10th goal of the season, assisted by Louisa Coughlin in the 47th minute. Off a penalty corner, Coughlin sent a pinpoint pass toward goal, where Stein redirected it into the cage for the 2-0 advantage.
The Garnet pushed to respond down the stretch, earning several penalty corners, but the Haverford defense held firm.
Stein led the Fords' attack with two shots, both on goal, while Ionescu recorded one save to preserve the shutout. For Swarthmore, Liza Semenenko paced all players with three shots, and Harris tallied the team's lone shot on goal. Larsen added a defensive save, while goalkeeper Cassandra Conklin played 51 minutes, facing two shots and allowing both goals.
Haverford now turns its attention to a trip to top-seeded and No. 2–ranked Johns Hopkins in Thursday's Centennial Conference semifinals. First pass between the Fords and Blue Jays is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Homewood Field in Baltimore, where Haverford will look to earn its first championship game appearance since 2012.
