ALLENTOWN, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team (8-1, 2-0 CC) earned a 2-0 victory over Muhlenberg (4-5, 0-2 CC) at Scotty Wood Stadium, posting a defensive shutout while scoring both its goals in the second quarter. Haverford's 8-1 start matches the best start in program history, as the 2021 team also started 8-1 en-route to a 13-win campaign.
The match opened with both teams testing one another as Haverford goalkeeper Steph Ionescu settled into position. The Fords' first notable chance came at the seven-minute mark when Lily Gover fired a shot wide. Later in the quarter, a penalty corner from Poppy Swallow at 10:06 created more offensive pressure, but neither side broke through, leaving the score 0-0 at the first break.
Haverford seized momentum in the second quarter. Naomi York opened the scoring at 22:49 with her seventh goal of the season, breaking through the backline and blasting a perfectly-placed shot towards the far post, sneaking the ball in to the cage. Just three minutes later, Gover doubled the lead with her first goal of the year, and the first of her career, assisted by Erica Pardón at 25:05. The Fords carried their 2-0 advantage into halftime.
The third quarter saw Haverford continue pressing forward. Gover's early attempt was blocked, and midfielder Abigail Trapp inserted multiple penalty corners opportunities. Despite shots from Holly Vincent and Louisa Coughlin in the frame, Muhlenberg goalkeeper Maddie Schwartz held firm, turning aside several chances and the frame ended with no change to the scoreline.
In the final quarter, Haverford earned nother penalty corner at 49:28, but Haverford soon faced adversity when York was shown a yellow card, forcing the Fords to play short-handed. Muhlenberg tried to capitalize with a penalty corner at 57:36, followed by a shot from Danielle Kapsak that was turned away by a nice save from Ionescu. The Mules pressed late with consecutive corners and a blocked shot from Erin DiSandro, but the Haverford defense stood tall to preserve the shutout in the first Centennial Conference road game of the season.
Gover finished with one goal on a game-high four shots, while York netted the game-winner on her only attempt. Pardón provided the assist on Gover's tally, her seventh of the season. Ionescu anchored the defense with a one-save shutout in 60 minutes of action.
For Muhlenberg, Schwartz made two saves in 60 minutes, keeping the contest within reach. Kapsak managed the Mules' lone shot on goal, while DiSandro added two attempts as part of the attack.
Haverford now returns home to Swan Field on Saturday, Oct. 4, for a Centennial Conference matchup against McDaniel at noon. The contest will be Haverford's annual Think Pink Day.
