HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's soccer team (5-4-3, 0-3-2 CC) battled visiting Dickinson (8-1-3, 4-0-1 CC) through a scoreless opening half, but two second-half goals from Isabelle Bariso lifted the Red Devils to a 2-0 victory in Centennial Conference action Saturday afternoon at Walton Field.
Senior goalkeeper Allie Billups turned in another strong performance between the posts, matching her season high with 10 saves as the Fords faced sustained pressure from a Dickinson side that entered the contest unbeaten in conference play.
The Red Devils finished with a 20-4 advantage in shots, including a 12-3 edge in attempts on goal, while earning 11 corner kicks. Haverford generated all four of its shots in the second half, with three testing Dickinson goalkeeper Pico Gray.
Dickinson immediately applied pressure in the opening minutes, with Anna Bitsko sending a header high just 92 seconds into the contest. Billups was called into action shortly afterward, turning away Bitsko in the fifth minute before denying Mckenna Gross in the eighth and Ivana Vukas in the 11th.
The Scarlet and Black continued to absorb the early pressure as Dickinson earned three corner kicks in the opening 17 minutes. Haverford's defensive unit remained organized, keeping the Red Devils off the scoreboard despite the visitors controlling much of the possession in the attacking third.
Billups was again instrumental midway through the half, stopping Bariso in the 26th minute before making another save against the Dickinson midfielder in the 37th. The senior added her sixth stop of the opening period against Joelle Ma in the 40th minute.
The Fords successfully weathered the first-half pressure, sending the teams into the halftime break deadlocked at 0-0 despite Dickinson holding a 10-0 advantage in shots.
The Red Devils finally broke through less than five minutes into the second half. Bitsko sent an attempt off the crossbar in the 50th minute, and Bariso capitalized on the ensuing opportunity, finding the back of the net at the 49:21 mark to give Dickinson a 1-0 advantage.
Haverford responded almost immediately, generating its first shot of the afternoon just 30 seconds later. Clare Hawley tested Gray with a dangerous attempt on goal, but the Dickinson goalkeeper made the save to preserve the visitors' narrow lead.
The Scarlet and Black continued to search for an equalizer, with Ali Dorrego sending a header wide in the 54th minute. Dickinson answered with another stretch of attacking pressure, but Billups turned away Amber Liu in the 55th to keep the deficit at one.
The Red Devils doubled their advantage in the 64th minute following a corner kick. Billups initially denied an attempt from Ma, but Bariso was on hand to convert the rebound at the 63:18 mark, completing her brace and giving Dickinson a 2-0 cushion.
Haverford continued to push forward despite the two-goal deficit. Cate Dugan forced Gray into a save in the 75th minute before Mia Peifer put another attempt on target in the 78th, but the Dickinson goalkeeper was equal to both opportunities.
Billups remained active in the closing stages, stopping Maddie Egan in the 79th minute before denying Ava Prisco in the 81st. Dickinson earned two additional corner kicks in the final minute, but the Scarlet and Black prevented any further damage before the final whistle.
Billups finished with 10 saves across the full 90 minutes, recording six stops in the opening half and four after the intermission. Hawley, Dugan and Peifer each registered a shot on goal for the Fords, while Dorrego contributed Haverford's fourth attempt.
Bariso paced Dickinson with two goals on five shots, including four on target, while Bitsko added an assist and five attempts. Ma also contributed an assist, and Gray made three saves to secure the shutout for the Red Devils.
Haverford returns to action Wednesday, Oct. 14, welcoming Muhlenberg to Walton Field for a 4 p.m. Centennial Conference matchup.
