HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College field hockey team struck first against No. 11 Franklin & Marshall and gave the visiting Diplomats all they could handle throughout the afternoon on Saturday. However, the Diplomats (7-1, 2-1 CC) showed why they are nationally ranked with a come-from-behind 3-1 victory on Swan Field against the Fords (4-3, 0-2 CC).
Hannah Roth came up with three big saves during the opening minutes of the first half to keep the contest scoreless before the Fords were able to find the first goal of the game. Mason McNulty had the Fords' first chance just over two minutes in, but saw her shot knocked down by the Diplomat defense. Nevertheless, Haverford would still strike first as Ariana Sulpizio scored her second goal of the season off a corner that was passed to her by Roxy Vassighi. Vassighi's assist was the first of her season and career.
Just as soon as the Fords went up 1-0, Franklin & Marshall answered right back with a goal just 39 seconds later as Lily Mynott broke free down and tied the game at one as she finished on the left side of the goal. Vassighi saw her bid to give the Fords a 2-1 lead before the half saved with less than two minutes to play in the opening half.
Franklin & Marshall took a 2-1 lead just over six into the second half as the visitors converted a penalty stroke off the stick of Caitlin Morrissey. The Diplomats added an insurance goal late as Melissa Gula broke free behind the defense to score on a 1v1 against the goalie with just under eight minutes to play.
Both Haverford and Franklin & Marshall had chances in the attacking zone as both sides finished the contest with six penalty corners each. Vassighi led the Fords with two shot attempts on the day, putting both of those attempts on goal. Roth finished with nine saves for the Fords in goal.
Field hockey will be back at home this Wednesday for a 7 p.m. non-conference start under the lights of Swan Field against Misericordia. The Fords return to Centennial Conference action next Saturday with a trip to No. 15 Johns Hopkins that is slated for a 5 p.m. start time in Baltimore.