DALLAS, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team (6-1) used a pair of second half goals to pull away from host Misericordia (3-5) Saturday afternoon, taking a 3-1 victory in its final non-conference game of the 2019 season. The Fords dominated the offensive rhythm throughout the contest, as evidenced in the stat totals. Haverford held a 9-2 advantage in shots, as well as a 9-1 margin in penalty corners earned.
Haverford, a team receiving votes in the latest NFHCA Coaches Poll, scored on the very first offensive chance for either team. In the seventh minute, Ariana Sulpizio worked her way into the circle and took a pass from Caroline Aronowitz on the wing, with the senior co-captain's perfectly placed entry pass finding Sulpizio on the doorstep of the goal. With one defender to beat, Sulpizio weaved her way around the swarming Cougars defender, and ultimately found herself in a frantic one-on-one with Misericordia goalkeeper Katelyn Campbell. After eluding Campbell towards the near post, one last defender emerged to attempt a defensive save, but Sulpizio was able to craftily slot a shot into the cage near post to give the Fords the lead with her team-leading sixth goal of the season.
Misericordia tied the score just before the halftime intermission, equalizing off a penalty corner. Kyleigh Knell found Tori Carsley at the top of the circle, and Carsley lifted a long aerial shot into the back of the cage. The goal represented the only shot on goal for the hosts, as Haverford ramped up the intensity in the second half.
The Fords scored on their first offensive chance of the second half after a penalty corner was awarded just under a minute into the third quarter. Aronowitz found Roxy Vassighi with a cross-cage pass, and Vassighi hammered it home from the top of the circle, slotting her shot into the lower right corner of the goal to give the Fords the lead.
Haverford added some insurance in the fourth quarter, taking a 3-1 advantage as Casey Wakai sent in a salvo from outside the circle that was craftily redirected off the stick of Emma Iacobucci and into the goal with just over 11 minutes to play. Iacobucci now has five goals on the year. The Fords were awarded four penalty corners in the final 10 minutes of the contest, but the Misericordia defense valiantly held Haverford from furthering its lead.
Vassighi had a game-best three shots to pace Haverford. Cambpell was called into action five times, making a pair of saves. The Fords improve to 6-1 all-time against Misericordia, avenging a narrow 1-0 loss in the last meeting during the 2017 season.
Haverford returns to action with the Centennial Conference opener against Muhlenberg (4-2, 0-2 CC) at home Wednesday evening. First pass is slated for 7 p.m. under the lights at Swan Field.