CARLISLE, Pa. – In a Centennial Conference series that has routinely provided close games in recent years, the Haverford College field hockey team prevailed in another squeaker on the road at Dickinson, 3-2. Haverford secured a win behind two first half goals from Paige Powell and an eventual game-winner from first year Leela Krishnan, who found the back of the cage for the first time in her career with a second half tally. Danielle Rette made five saves to pick up her eighth win of the season. Haverford is now 8-7 (3-5 CC) while Dickinson falls to the same mark in both overall and conference play.
After opening shot attempts from Kelsey Chai and Mason McNulty were corralled by Dickinson keeper Freddie Bancroft in the fourth minute of action, Haverford scored on just its third shot of the contest. Powell was able to get clearance in the circle and fire one home for the opening goal of the game in the 11th minute of play.
Dickinson kept the pressure up, forcing Rette to make two saves in the first 30 minutes of action before Powell tallied yet again in the 32nd minute, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead and some breathing room. The goal was Powell's sixth of the season, tying her with classmate McNulty for the team lead in goals and points (13).
A penalty corner was awarded to Dickinson on its next offensive possession, and the Red Devils found the back of the cage for their opening strike. Chelsea Kramer took an assist from Marie Laverdiere and found pay dirt, cutting the lead to just one for the Fords. Haverford controlled the tempo of the first half, holding a 10-5 shot advantage, despite Dickinson keeping the edge in penalty corners at 5-2.
In the 41st minute, a penalty corner was awarded to the Fords and Leela Krishnan inserted the ball into the scoring area. The ball rattled around the circle, finding the stick of Elena Veale, who had her shot redirected on the very edge of the goalmouth. Krishnan netted her first career goal by tipping the ball into the cage. The Dickinson defense was unable to keep the Fords at bay on the corner try despite a swarming effort as the Fords celebrated a renewed two-goal cushion.
A late salvo from Kramer made the game tighter at 3-2, but the Fords were able to execute a possession minded strategy to let the clock expire and claim an important road victory.
Powell and Stephanie Terrell each had three shots on goal while Kramer had three to lead Dickinson. Bancroft made eight saves in a losing effort.
The Fords' last three matchups with Dickinson have been decided by just one goal, as Haverford turned the tide on a pair of nail biters a season ago, including an overtime heartbreaker in the Centennial Conference playoffs. Haverford claimed its first victory in Carlisle since 2011.
The Fords now return to the Main Line for a pair of contests to wrap up the regular season. Sitting in a three-way tie with Dickinson and Muhlenberg for sixth in the conference standings, the Fords will hope to break into the Centennial Conference playoff picture with a strong final week of play.
The Fords head to Bi-Co rival Bryn Mawr for a 4 p.m. start on Wednesday, October 25 before hosting Tri-Co foe Swarthmore in the annual Hood Trophy matchup on Swan Field. The Senior Day game is slated for a 3 p.m. start on Saturday, October 28.