GALLOWAY, N.J. - Trekking on the road for the first time in the 2023 regular season, the Haverford College field hockey team (2-1) suffered its first setback of the young campaign, falling 2-0 to host Stockton (1-2) at the Stockton Turf Field.
The Fords came out with a strong energy, with Anna Bradley tallying the first shot on goal in the fourth minute. Erica Pardon had a solid chance on cage in the 10th minute, but Hannah Ayari-Dias was there for her second save of the evening.
Stockton scored the opening goal of the contest in the waning seconds of the first period, as Carlee Thompson inserted a penalty corner and got in position for a pass from Kiera Lyons, hammering home the one-timer for a 1-0 Ospreys lead.
Haverford was held largely in check offensively in the second period, but Mary Smith was tested by a flurry of Stockton shots in the 29th minute, making a trio of key saves. Eventually, in the 30th minute, Stockton again showed its flair for scoring at the end of periods as the hosts again converted off a corner, with Ameera Bilgrami finding Kirsten Bailey to double the advantage for the hosts.
Forced to chase the game from that point, Haverford earned three penalty corners in the third stanza but neither side recorded a shot. The Fords had a strong chance at putting a tally on the scoreboard in the 48th minute, but a defensive save from Bilgrami denied Joelle McElroy. Holly Vincent then saw her shot saved by Ayari-Dias moments later.
Naomi York had the final shot of the contest for either side in the 54th minute, as Ayari-Dias was called into action yet again. Haverford earned three penalty corners down the stretch, but was unable to put together a shot on frame.
Ayari-Dias picked up her first win of the year with four saves in 60 minutes between the pipes, while Smith also added four saves. Stockton held a slight 10-8 edge in shots, while Haverford earned 13 corners to just seven for Stockton. Allie Palumbo had a game-high five shots for the Ospreys, while Bradley, Pardon, McElroy, Vincent and York each put a shot on frame for the Fords.
Haverford has another road test on the docket Saturday, heading to Alvernia for a 1 p.m. first pass with the Golden Wolves. The contest serves as a prelude to a string of four consecutive home games from September 13 to September 27 before the first month of the season wraps up with a trip to Gettysburg on September 30.