HAVERFORD, Pa. - Casey Wakai scored in the 33rd minute for the lone goal of the contest as Haverford downed visiting Muhlenberg by a final tally of 1-0 on Wednesday evening at Swan Field. Haverford improves to 6-1 and 1-0 in Centennial Conference play while Muhlenberg drops to 1-5 overall and 0-2 in conference action. Danielle Rette picked up her eighth career shutout and third this season in victory.
The Fords tested Mules goalkeeper Emma Rosenthal early, with Elena Veale firing a shot on taret in the second minute of action. Veale and Paige Carson would miss wide with shots in the eighth minute following a penalty corner as the Fords controlled the tempo with the opening salvos.
Rette made a save on a 10th minute strike from Rachel Richards, the only time she would be tested with a shot on frame in the first half. After two unsuccessful penalty corners, Haverford broke through in the 33rd minute of play. Rachel Gordon dribbled through traffic and into the circle, finding Wakai with a well-timed centering pass that allowed the sophomore ample opportunity to set up a shot from just beyond the penalty stroke spot, converting past Rosenthal for a 1-0 lead and her third goal of the season.
Haverford held a 6-1 shot advantage in the first half and a 4-1 penalty corner advantage.
The second half saw Veale put another shot on target in the 38th minute before Rette denied an equalizier attempt off the stick of Alexandria DeAngelo in the 41st. Rette was tested again in the 61st minute as Marlee Siegel put one on cage, but the senior co-captain benefited from a strong defensive effort that limited the opportunities for the visitors.
Haverford looked for insurance goals but Rosenthal made a strong effort to keep the score at just 1-0 in favor of the hosts, saving three shots in succession in the 64th minute of play as the Mules were tested by a corner-minded Haverford offense. Muhlenberg called timeout to set up a strategy to tie the score, but last ditch corner opportunities went without a shot as the Fords remained undefeated at home in the 2017 season.
The Fords held a 12-3 shot advantage at the final whistle. Wakai and Mason McNulty each put two shots on frame in the triumph. Haverford held a 10-4 corner advantage including six second half attempts. Rette made three saves while Rosenthal made six stops in the loss for the Mules.
Haverford improves to 15-16 all-time against Muhlenberg with the win.
The Fords will return to play on Saturday, September 23 at noon as the squad travels to Lancaster, Pa. for a matchup with No. 13 Franklin & Marshall. A live video broadcast of the game will be available via the Centennial Conference Digital Network.