HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team was edged in overtime, 3-2, by visiting Washington College in the second straight overtime meeting between the two squads. The Shorewomen turned the tide on Haverford, who took a 1-0 decision in double overtime last year at Swan Field. Haverford received goals from Elena Veale and Mason McNulty in the loss. The Fords are now 6-7 on the season (1-5 CC) while Washington College moves to 8-5 (6-1 CC) with the victory.
The Fords had two early scoring chances, with shots on goal from McNulty and Paige Carson, respectively, in the 9th and 10th minute. Morgan Domanico turned away the attempts and also was able to handle a pair of shot attempts from the Fords in the 15th minute of action.
Defensively, the Fords were well prepped to deal with the Washington College attack, with Alissa Valentine notching a defensive save to keep Nicole Schroyer from tallying the first goal of the contest in the 19th minute. In the 26th minute, Washington College was able to get on the scoreboard first as Kailyn Brandt dribbled from the corner of the field into the circle and finished straight away, past Haverford goalkeeper Danielle Rette, securing the early 1-0 lead.
Haverford held a seven to six shot advantage at the halftime break and kept the offensive pressure up into the second half as the Fords peppered Domanico with a flurry of shots just over 10 minutes into the period. McNulty had her shot saved, but Haverford kept possession with Roxy Vassighi firing a shot on frame. Domanico saved the attempt, but the rebound found the waiting stick of Veale, who deftly maneuvered to a favorable angle in the circle and was able to lift the shot into the cage to equalize the score at 1-1 with her second goal of the season.
Haverford conceded a go-ahead goal in the 51st minute as Grace Steele was able to get a shot past Rette, but the Fords stayed on the attack for yet another equalizing goal. Haverford was awarded a corner in the 65th minute and converted also immediately. The ball was inserted and initially was mishandled, as the Fords had to retreat towards midfield to control the attempt. Rachel Gordon grabbed the loose ball and was able to fire a shot into the circle, where McNulty was waiting in perfect position to redirect the salvo into the cage, kicking off a Haverford celebration with the two squads now locked in a brand new game at 2-2. The goal was McNulty's team-leading sixth of the season.
The Fords had a shot to win it in regulation, but a 69th minute shot from Jolie Brakey was saved by Domanico as the two teams headed back to the benches to prep for sudden-victory overtime.
After McNulty opened up the extra period with a shot that sailed wide, Washington College was awarded a 77th minute corner. Olivia Auer inserted the attempt and made the short pass to Schroyer, who was lined up on the side closest to the corner spot, left of the cage. Schroyer rocketed a shot into the goal to secure a 3-2 win for the visitors.
Domanico made seven saves while Rette had two on the evening. Haverford held a 16 to 10 advantage in shots and a 12 to 10 advantage in penalty corners. McNulty had three shots on goal while Schroyer and Steele had two each for Washington College.
Haverford returns to Centennial Conference action on Saturday, October 14, welcoming in McDaniel to Swan Field for a 12 p.m. contest.