Signature Wins: The Haverford College field hockey team won its sixth game in a row by defeating the Gettysburg College Bullets, 1-0 (Oct. 3). In the 47th minute, sophomore Elena Veale recorded a goal for the fourth straight game.
Gettsburg had two major scoring opportunities in the second half. In the 67th minute after a senior Lindsey Lopes' save, senior Allison Martin came up with a huge clear off a dangerous rebound. That wasn't the last time that Martin provided heroics for the Fords. The Bullets were awarded an untimed penalty corner as time expired. A shot was sent towards the cage and Martin prevented the ball from reaching the back of the cage for her 11th career defensive save, giving the Fords their second straight 1-0 victory. The six-game winning streak was tied for the fourth longest in program history.
Another signature win included the team's 5-3 win at the McDaniel Green Terror (Oct. 24) which clinched a Centennial Conference playoff berth for the sixth time in the last seven seasons. Veale registered a hat trick, setting new career high in goals and points. Her goal in the ninth minute of the first half was her fourth game-winner of the year, one shy of the program high for a season.
Awards:
All-Centennial Conference: Sarah Waldis (first team), Martin, Veale (second team)
Centennial Conference All-Sportsmanship Team: Stephanie Terrell
Centennial Conference Scholar-Athlete Award: Waldis
Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll: Sarah Betti, Brenna Boehman, Jolie Brakey, Paige Carson, Alexandra Fascione-Hutchins, Abby Frerotte, Sarah Lambros, Lopes, Martin, Danielle Rette, Terrell and Waldis
Centennial Conference Player of the Week: Waldis (Sept. 21), Veale (Oct. 5, Oct. 26), Martin (Oct. 5).
Season Notes: The Fords have won at least 10 games in five of head coach Jackie Cox's six seasons … The senior class (Boehman, Sydney Cone, Rachel Grunden, Kelly Hancock, Lopes, Martin and Waldis) qualified for three Centennial Conference playoff berths, went to the conference final in 2012 and had 44 wins in its four years … Lopes finished her career as the all-time leader in career wins with 30 … This year was the first time that the field hockey team had two members on the All-CC first team since Bridget Gibbons '13 and Mary Hobbs '13 in 2012 … Waldis and Martin have made All-CC two times in their careers … Veale placed seventh in the conference in goals and ninth in points … The Fords had three players with at least 20 points … 11 different players scored a goal … Four Fords had a defensive save, led by junior Natalie Leslie's four tallies.
Looking Ahead: The Fords return four of the their top five scorers. Veale, Carson and others will look upon their playoff experience to get back into the Centennial Conference Tournament in 2016.