HAVERFORD, Pa. – After a halftime that spanned 20 days, Haverford refused to let Lebanon Valley escape with a comeback victory, as Lily Gover found the back of the cage with 33 seconds remaining to lift the Fords to a dramatic 2-1 win Monday evening at Swan Field.
Back on September 1, Haverford struck first midway through the opening quarter. After earning the game's first penalty corner, Lily Gover put an attempt on cage that was turned aside by Lebanon Valley goalkeeper Ella Weidenhammer. Moments later, Louisa Coughlin found the back of the cage at the 4:25 mark, with a spinning shot to the far post, for her first goal of the season, giving the Fords a 1-0 advantage.
Lebanon Valley responded with pressure of its own later in the opening period, but Steph Ionescu was up to the challenge in the Haverford cage. Ionescu turned away attempts from Abby Rodenberger and Claire Weidenhammer before making another stop on Danika Setlock as the Fords carried their one-goal edge into the first-quarter break.
Haverford increased the pressure offensively in the second quarter, generating six shots during the period. Gover tested Weidenhammer early in the frame before Alice Stein forced another save later in the quarter.
The Fords produced their most dangerous sequence of the half in the closing minutes. Stein put another shot on goal before Erica Pardón struck the post. Lydia Moy and Pardón followed with shots on cage, but Weidenhammer made consecutive saves to keep the Dutchmen within one.
Lebanon Valley nearly equalized just before halftime, with Lilah Shaub registering back-to-back shots in the final seconds of the second quarter. Ionescu stopped both attempts to preserve Haverford's 1-0 advantage through 30 minutes.
Through two quarters, Haverford held an 8-7 edge in shots and a 7-6 advantage in shots on goal, while each team earned one penalty corner. Ionescu recorded six saves without allowing a goal, while Weidenhammer made six stops for Lebanon Valley.
When play resumed on September 21, Lindsey Darby took over in the Haverford cage for the final 30 minutes. Lebanon Valley threatened immediately, but Alexis Mollin registered a crucial defensive save on an attempt from Claire Weidenhammer before Jillian Tait sent the ensuing shot wide.
Haverford quickly regained control, producing six shots during the third quarter. Erica Pardón had an attempt cleared off the line by Alexis Nasuta, while Poppy Swallow, Pardón and Morgan Reis each forced saves from Ella Weidenhammer as the Fords maintained their 1-0 advantage entering the final period.
The Fords continued to apply pressure in the fourth quarter, generating nine shots and five penalty corners in a relentless barrage. Weidenhammer denied Alice Stein and made three consecutive stops on attempts from Pardón and Gover to keep Lebanon Valley within striking distance.
The Dutchmen capitalized on their opportunity at the 54th minute mark mark, as Maggie McAteer finished a feed from Tait to level the contest at 1-1. Haverford refused to let Lebanon Valley escape regulation and force overtime.
Gover forced back-to-back saves in the 57th minute before the Fords earned one final penalty corner with 38 seconds remaining. Pardón's initial attempt was stopped, but Gover pounced on the rebound and found the back of the cage with just 33 seconds left, giving Haverford the 2-1 victory.
The Fords finished with a 23-11 advantage in shots, including a 20-8 edge in shots on goal, while holding a 7-2 advantage in penalty corners. Weidenhammer made 17 saves for Lebanon Valley, while Ionescu finished with six stops for Haverford.
Field Hockey returns to action as the homestand continues on Thursday, September 24 against Stockton. First pass is slated for 7 p.m. from Swan Field.
