HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team hopes for a third straight Centennial Conference Tournament appearance and eighth appearance in the last nine seasons in 2017. The Fords are boosted by an experienced senior class and the addition of a deep, talented first year core. Haverford went 10-8 last season, reaching the Centennial Conference Tournament before falling in the first round to Dickinson, 4-3, in double overtime.
Buoying the playoff hopes of the Fords is that Haverford returns its top four goal scorers and 32 of its 36 goals from a season ago. Senior co-captain Paige Carson returns from a 20-point campaign (eight goals, four assists) a season ago while Elena Veale (seven goals, three assists), Mason McNulty (eight goals) and Lucy Tortolani (three goals, two assists) return to help anchor the Haverford attack. Also returning to aid offensive efforts are Charlotte Eisenberg, Alexandra Fascione-Hutchins and Rylee Fennell.
Co-captain Stephanie Terrell figures to be a major part of Haverford's core yet again after winning Centennial Conference recognition as a second-team all-centennial selection. Terrell helped anchor the Fords throughout the season, scoring in the regular season finale against Swarthmore before posting a goal against Dickinson in the conference playoffs. On the season, Terrell recorded a defensive save and fired 29 shots. A two-time all-sportsmanship team selection and a conference honorable mention in 2014, Terrell sits at 16th all-time in minutes played at Haverford going into her senior campaign.
Attacking midfielders include McNulty, Alissa Valentine (17 appearances, three starts) and Casey Wakai (started all 18 games last year) along with newcomers Kelsey Chai, Emma Iacobucci and Ariana Sulpizio. Carson and Veale lead an experienced midfield that includes Rachel Gordon (18 appearances, 16 starts) and newcomer Allyson Lynch. Caroline Aronowitz (17 starts, five defensive saves) returns after a solid first year campaign along with Jolie Brakey and Paige Powell. First year Maura Herbertson will also provide support in the midfield.
The Fords will have to replace the defensive prowess of NFHCA All-South Region selection Natalie Leslie. Leslie was a back line stalwart for the Fords in 2016 with 12 defensive saves, a mark that was good for fourth in all of NCAA Division III. Leslie leaves Haverford's program in seventh place in career defensive saves and 10th in total minutes played. Malin Ehrsam (eight appearances), Carolin Schmidt, and first year Leela Krishnan are all defensive-minded options on the back line.
Returning between the pipes is second team All-Centennial co-captain Danielle Rette. Rette was integral in goal in her first full season of action in 2016, posting five shutouts and holding opponents to just a 1.82 GAA, making 108 saves while starting all 18 games. Rette's 1.79 career GAA is fifth all-time in Haverford history. Rette became the first Fords goalkeeper to pick up all-conference recognition since Rachel Levine was an honorable mention in 1995. Sunny Truslow joins the Fords as a first year goalkeeper.
Haverford was selected to finish fifth in the Centennial Conference, a vote of confidence from the conference head coaches that the Fords can again reach the playoffs. Haverford received 63 total votes.
Games against top competition dot the schedule with the season opener against No. 18 Alvernia and a tough test at a team receving votes in the NFHCA national poll, Rowan. The conference season gets underway with back-to-back challenges at home against No. 16 Muhlenberg (Sept. 20) and at No. 9 Franklin & Marshall (Sept. 23). The Fords face traditional foe Johns Hopkins (Sept. 30) before a trip to Collegeville, Pa. to take on No. 7 Ursinus (Oct. 4).
Haverford will host No. 18 Alvernia for the 2017 season opener on September 1 at Swan Field.