HAVERFORD, Pa. – Haverford College field hockey junior goalkeeper Steph Ionescu has been named the Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week after helping the Fords secure a postseason berth with a 2-0 upset victory over No. 14 Swarthmore last Wednesday. 

The Wilton, Conn., native turned aside all five shots on goal she faced Wednesday, posting her first shutout of the season as Haverford clinched a Centennial Conference playoff berth for the third consecutive year. The victory was the Fords' first over a nationally ranked opponent since a 3-2 win against No. 16 Franklin & Marshall on Sept. 27, 2025.

The award is the fourth Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week honor of Ionescu's career and her first this season. She previously earned the recognition on Nov. 5, 2024, Sept. 30, 2025, and Oct. 14, 2025.

A graduate of Hotchkiss, Ionescu also received NFHCA Division III Defensive Player of the Week Honorable Mention twice in 2025. She is a two-time NFHCA National Academic Squad selection and earned a spot on the Centennial Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll in 2025.

Haverford will open its 2026 Centennial Conference Tournament run tonight with a matchup against fourth-seeded Franklin & Marshall. The contest is slated for 7 p.m. at Tylus Field.