ST DAVIDS, Pa. – The Haverford College field hockey team took down host Eastern on Saturday, prevailing past the Eagles by a final score of 5-3. The Fords improve to 3-0, the best start for the program since the 2012 team started 5-0 en route to a 14-5 season. Mason McNulty tallied her fourth goal of the season to take the early Centennial Conference lead in the both goals and points. Eastern falls to 1-3 on the season after the home defeat.
The Fords fell behind in the sixth minute as Alison Hoag tallied for Eastern, but Haverford tied things up in the 20th minute. Following a Haverford timeout to regroup and set strategy, McNutly took a feed from Gordon and was able to dribble up the right side and best Nicole Berger with the first half equalizer.
The Fords drew a penalty corner in the 25th minute and converted shortly after, with Elena Veale scoring her first goal of the season off an assist from Caroline Aronowitz for a 2-1 lead. The Fords scored again on their very next shot, with Paige Powell notching her first goal of the season after dribbling into the scoring circle and rocketing a shot towards the near post past Berger for a 3-1 lead.
The Fords kept up the pressure in the first half, tallying in the 33rd minute with Rylee Fennell burying a rebound after an offensive opportunity in transition to give the visitors a four-goal cushion at 4-1.
Late in the first half, Eastern drew a penalty corner and converted after Danielle Rette saved an initial attempt. Maya Wales redirected a powerful strike off the stick of Alison Hoag to close the scoring in a offensive-minded first half and cut the lead to just two at 4-2.
In the 42nd minute, the Fords were awarded a penalty stroke and Casey Wakai was able to get her attempt past Berger for a 5-2 lead. Becky Howard scored in the 52nd minute for Eastern to cut the lead to 5-3, but the Fords were able to hang on behind a 10 save effort from Rette, who improved her record to 3-0.
The Fords were outshot by the Eagles, 18-15, and outcornered 9-6, but were able to convert on chances throughout the contest, with McNulty and Powell each firing three shots on goal each. Hoag led Eastern with six shots, including five on goal. Berger made six saves in a losing effort.
With the victory, Haverford improves to 12-10-1 all-time against Eastern.
The Fords will have a brief respite before back-to-back home matches next week on Swan Field. The Fords welcome Immaculata on Tuesday, September 12 for a 5:00 p.m start and Lebanon Valley on Wednesday, September 13 for a 6 p.m. pass back.