ST. DAVIDS, Pa. – Senior Alex Waleko scored once in each half to lead the Haverford College field hockey team to a 2-1 win over eighth-ranked Eastern University in non-conference action Thursday afternoon.
Waleko put Haverford (8-3) ahead at the 13:48 mark of the first half with her 14th goal of the season, then provided the game-winner early in the second half after the host Eagles (11-2) had pulled even in the game's 27th minute.
Trailing 2-1 after Waleko's 15th of the year, the Eagles upped their offensive pressure over the next 17 minutes.
Haverford's defense, led by goalie Maggie Cronin, withstood a barrage of nine consecutive penalty corner opportunities by the home team which provided Eastern with eight consecutive shots following Waleko's tally.
Cronin made four saves in the flurry, three shots were blocked by Haverford defenders and Bridget Gibbons picked up a defensive save to preserve the narrow lead.
Once Cronin registered her 10th and final save of the game on Yvonne Herbster's shot late in the 60th minute, the Fords were able to turn the momentum back in their favor and controlled play over the final 10 minutes.
Haverford accumulated seven penalty corner chances and took the final five shots in the contest to help close out the upset victory over an Eastern team that entered the contest riding a 10-game winning streak which included victories over then-No. 2 Messiah, then-No. 12 New Jersey and then-No. 14 Rowan.
Haverford out shot its host by a 22-18 margin and put 16 shots on goal compared to only 12 on frame by the Eagles. The Fords also finished with a 15-13 edge in corner chances.
Cronin earned the win for the Fords with her 10 saves while Laura Ressler took the loss in goal for Eastern after stopping 13 shots. Danielle Danser added a defensive save for the Eagles.
The Fords will try to maintain their momentum from Thursday's victory in their next outing, a non-conference match-up next Thursday at Swan Field against 4th-ranked and undefeated Lebanon Valley College (9-0). Game time is set for 4 p.m.