ST. DAVIDS, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team (4-0) remained perfect on the 2019 season with a come-from-behind, 3-2 victory over host Eastern on Saturday. The win was the 100th in the career of Head Coach Jackie Cox. Cox, the winningest coach in program history, reached the milestone early in her 10th season at the helm of the Fords.
Haverford was forced to play from behind as Eastern scored on its very first offensive opportunity of the contest. Joelle Walsh found the cage off a corner, giving the Eagles the early advantage in the third minute of action. Eastern held onto that lead at the end of the first quarter, allowing just one Haverford shot.
The Fords had a great scoring chance with just under five minutes remaining until halftime, but Anna Kirn had her shot attempt saved by the Eastern defense. Roxy Vassighi and Delaney Snowden also had shots scamper off target on the ensuing possession. At the halftime break, Haverford held a 4-3 advantage in shots, and a 5-2 penalty corner advantage despite trailing.
The Fords found the equalizer they sought early in the third quarter, as Emma Iacobucci took a pass from Ravenel Davis and was able to volley in a shot from close range, posting her fourth goal of the season just over three minutes into the half. In the fourth quarter, Haverford took a lead it would not relinquish on a goal scored off a penalty corner with seven minutes remaining in regulation. Roxy Vassighi was credited with the assist as she found her high school classmate Ariana Sulpizio down low in the circle with a well-placed pass. Sulpizio hammered home a shot past Eastern goalkeeper Kylie Troyer, giving the Fords the lead with her fifth tally of the year.
Haverford was awarded a penalty stroke with just over six minutes left in the contest, and Kelsey Chai converted the opportunity to give the Fords some breathing room with a two-goal cushion at 3-1. The goal would prove vital, as Eastern added a score of its own in the waning moments of the fourth off the stick of Abigail Geisler, cutting the lead to just one.
At the final whistle, Haverford held an 11-6 advantage in shots, and posted nine penalty corners to just four for Eastern. Sunny Truslow got the start in goal for Haverford, making a pair of first half saves. Hannah Roth was credited with the win after starting the second half in goal, making one save.
The Fords have now won four straight against Eastern dating back to the 2016 season. Haverford leads the all-time series 14-10-1.
Haverford will have a week to prepare for a trip to No. 3 Rowan on Saturday night. First pass against last year's national semifinalist is slated for 7 p.m. in Glassboro, N.J.