CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Haverford College Field Hockey team advanced to the Centennial Conference semifinals with a 2-1 overtime victory over the host Washington College Shorewomen on Tuesday evening in the Centennial Conference first round game in Chestertown. After the two sides were deadlocked at the end of regulation, senior co-captain Stephanie Terrell scored with 8:39 remaining in the seven-on-seven overtime period to deliver the golden goal victory for the Fords. Haverford improves to 11-7 with its fifth-consecutive win while Washington College ends its season with a 9-9 record.
Haverford now advances to Friday's Centennial Conference semifinals against tournament host and top seed Johns Hopkins. The contest at Homewood Field in Baltimore is slated to begin at 12:30 p.m.
In an eventful first half, Washington College controlled the offensive chances early; sprinting down the field in the opening seconds of the contest before the Haverford back line stopped a charging forward line prior to a shot attempt. In the fifth minute, the opening Shorewomen corner attempt was turned away by Rette with a solid pad save.
In the 14th minute, Washington College converted its second corner opportunity to open the scoring as first year Kailyn Brandt took an assist from Nicole Schroyer and found the back of the cage with a rocket from the top of the circle.
The momentum quickly turned in the favor of the Fords as a penalty stroke was awarded to Haverford in the 19th minute following a violation in the circle. Elena Veale was selected to take the stroke, and was able to best Washington College goalkeeper Morgan Domanico to tie the score at 1-1 on just the second shot of the night for the visitors.
Haverford had an offensive chance on a 27th minute penalty corner, but a violation gave possession back to the hosts. The Fords were able to set up a promising offensive attack in the final five minutes of the half, but a cross into the circle was turned away by Domanico. A defensive violation on the Shorewomen led to a pair of corners in the final two minutes of the half, but Paige Powell had a shot blocked before a second attempt went wide.
An evenly matched half saw Haverford with a 4-2 shot advantage as well as a 3-2 corner advantage heading into the intermission.
Haverford had a flurry of offensive chances to open the second half, dominating possession in its attacking third for most of the final 35 minutes of action. Alissa Valentine had a shot blocked in the circle before Mason McNulty sent a shot just wide of the goalmouth in the 46th minute. In the 49th minute, Terrell sent a cross onto the doorstep for McNulty, who fired a shot that was just wide of the frame.
In the 61st minute, Brandt registered the first shot of the half for Washington College, breaking past the Haverford back line and delivering a back hand that skipped just wide of the cage, the first true threat of the half of action for the Shorewomen. Consecutive corners were awarded to the Fords with under four minutes to play, but a pair of shot attempts from Valentine and Veale were off target.
The contest headed to overtime, as the two squads played their third consecutive overtime contest while Haverford headed to extra time in the playoffs for the second consecutive season.
Due to a yellow card on Washington College late in regulation, Haverford played the early moments of the period with a player advantage. Just two minutes into the extra stanza, Terrell set up a one-on-one and fired a backhand shot that was saved by Domanico. A Brandt backhander on a one-on-two went high of the cage on the other end before a fruitless corner attempt for Haverford.
Playing in a fast-paced offensive set, the Fords were able to break past the Shorewomen back line one final time, as Terrell dribbled into the circle and fired from 12 yards out on the right side, , besting Domanico and setting off a wild celebration in front of the goal with her fourth of the season.
The Fords outshot Washington College 13 to four and held a 10 to three advantage in penalty corners. Danielle Rette made one save while Domanico had three. Terrell and Veale each tallied two shots on frame.
The victory gives Haverford the edge in the all-time series with the Shorewomen, as the Fords now hold a 16-15-2 advantage. Haverford also pulls ahead 8-7-1 in road games against Washington College.
Haverford reaches the Centennial Conference semifinals for the first time since 2015. The Fords picked up their first postseason win since a 3-1 decision over Muhlenberg in the first round game in 2013.