GLASSBORO, N.J. – The Haverford College field hockey team saw its two-game winning streak come to an end Saturday afternoon, as Rowan proved tough to beat on its home turf, handing the Fords a 4-0 setback at Wackar Stadium. Haverford moved to 2-4 on the season, while Rowan improved to 3-3.
Rowan struck quickly, with Sydney Kowalczyk opening the scoring just over two minutes into the contest off an assist from Tori Tullio. The Fords settled in defensively from there, keeping the Profs off the board for the remainder of the opening quarter as Lindsey Darby turned away Rowan's other shot on goal.
Haverford generated its first sustained pressure early in the second quarter. Lydia Moy forced Rowan goalkeeper Ella Morton into a save just 53 seconds into the period before the Fords earned their first penalty corner. Erica Pardón followed with a blocked attempt as Haverford looked for the equalizer.
The Profs instead created separation late in the half. After Darby denied Sophia Weisler in the 22nd minute, Rowan earned a penalty stroke that Kowalczyk converted at 25:16 for her second goal of the afternoon. Just 59 seconds later, Kowalczyk set up Mia Foti to extend the Rowan advantage to 3-0 heading into halftime.
Haverford's defense kept Rowan largely in check coming out of the break, but the Profs capitalized on a penalty corner in the 41st minute. Kowalczyk was involved once again, setting up Weisler at 40:52 to make it 4-0 in favor of the hosts. The assist completed a six-point afternoon for Kowalczyk, who finished with two goals and two helpers.
Despite the deficit, the Fords continued to battle and produced their strongest attacking stretch of the afternoon in the fourth quarter. Reese Dewhirst had an attempt blocked before Alice Stein, Carolina Sanchez and Pardón each put shots on cage during a late Haverford surge. Rowan goalkeeper Kelley Crescenzo turned away all three attempts to preserve the shutout. Haverford finished with seven shots, putting four on goal, while Rowan recorded 10 attempts with six on target.Â
Pardón and Moy led the Fords with two shots apiece, while Stein and Sanchez also put attempts on cage. Darby played all 60 minutes in goal and made two saves. The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for the Fords following victories over Alvernia and Susquehanna.
Field Hockey now returns to action Monday, Sept. 21, resuming their suspended contest against Lebanon Valley at 7:30 p.m on Swan Field. The game originally began Sept. 1 before inclement weather forced play to be halted at halftime with Haverford holding a 1-0 advantage.
