READING, Pa. — The Haverford College field hockey team (4-1) earned a dramatic 2-1 victory over Alvernia (2-3) on Saturday night. First-year forward Alice Stein delivered the game winner with just 43 seconds remaining, breaking a 1-1 tie and lifting the Fords to their fourth win of the season. Haverford outshot the Golden Wolves 17-8, including an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal.
The Fords controlled much of the opening quarter, generating several chances off penalty corners. Holly Vincent fired two early shots, both saved by Alvernia goalkeeper Zoe Caloviras, while Stein also had multiple attempts turned away. Despite sustained pressure, the opening 15 minutes ended scoreless.
Haverford broke through in the second quarter. Off a penalty corner in the 20th minute, Abigail Trapp slid a ball across the circle to Erica Pardón, who backhanded a shot past Caloviras for her fifth goal of the season. The Fords nearly doubled the lead minutes later, but attempts from Vincent and Lily Gover were blocked, sending the match into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
Alvernia equalized early in the third quarter. The Golden Wolves converted a penalty corner at the 35:00 mark, with Alessandra Stevens finishing off a pass from Ava Michael to tie the game 1-1. Haverford responded with a flurry of chances, including shots from Pardón and Louisa Coughlin, but Caloviras continued her strong play in goal to keep the score level heading to the fourth.
Both sides traded opportunities in the final quarter. Caroline Martin tested Haverford goalkeeper Steph Ionescu early, before Pardón's shot in the 51st minute rattled off the post. Stein nearly broke the deadlock in the 55th minute, but her effort was saved. Finally, with under a minute to play, the Fords capitalized on a late penalty corner. Off the insert, Pardón lofted a ball in front of goal, where Stein collected it, turned, and rifled home the decisive strike for the 2-1 victory.
Pardón finished with a goal and an assist on four total shots, while Stein tallied the game winner, putting four of her five shots on target. Vincent added five shots, three on goal, and Trapp chipped in an assist from her steady work on corners.
For Alvernia, Stevens scored the lone goal on three attempts, with Michael credited with the assist. Caloviras kept the Golden Wolves within striking distance, finishing with nine saves on the evening.
The Fords return home to Swan Field on Saturday, September 20, hosting Rowan at noon.
