HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team (4-3, 0-1 CC) suffered its first home defeat of the 2023 season, as the Centennial Conference opener went to Dickinson (3-4, 1-0) by a 4-1 final on a rainy, windy day at Swan Field.
The contest started with both teams trying to get a feel for the field conditions and establish a rhythm despite a sometimes driving rain. After a big win over Rowan on Wednesday, Haverford was focused on another fast start against the Red Devils. The Fords tested Dickinson goalkeeper Olivia Renault twice in the early goings, but Renault made a pair of strong saves to deny Erica Pardón and Anna Bradley in the first quarter.
Dickinson earned a penalty corner in the 14th minute of the contest, with a player advantage after a green card on Haverford. The initial penalty corner saw Margaret Martin make another defensive save, but a foul was called after the redirection, allowing Becca Woods to take a penalty stroke opportunity, which she converted to open the scoring.
The second quarter featured just two shots, as Dickinson got a pair of attempts on Mary Smith, but the visitors went to intermission with just the one goal cushion.
The rain began to pick up in the second half, but Dickinson was undaunted as they doubled their advantage on the first shot of the third quarter. Abby Marthins dribbled craftily past the back line to slot her fourth goal of the season in the 34th minute. From that point, Haverford looked like the more aggressive team for the rest of the stanza, but Dickinson held strong defensively to deny a penalty corner opportunity from the Fords in the 43rd minute.
Haverford got on the scoreboard in the final moments of the third quarter, as Poppy Swallow sent an entry pass towards the goalmouth where Ileana Rodriguez was waiting in front of cage to tally her first career goal, giving the Fords new life, suddenly back in the swing of things, down just one. Swallow was also credited with her first career assist on the goal.
Unfortunately for Haverford, Dickinson scored off a penalty corner with just three seconds remaining in the stanza, as Katie Marthins found her sister Abby in front of cage with an entry pass for a 3-1 cushion.
Dickinson added a fourth quarter goal from Alexandra Hockwitt, seemingly putting the game out of reach in the 53rd minute as a redirection after a Smith save found the stick of the Red Devil player. The Fords earned a penalty corner in the waning moments of action, but Dickinson's defense was able to deny Haverford from cutting into the lead.
At the final whistle, Dickinson held a slight 11-8 edge in shots, and a 5-3 advantage in penalty corners. Smith made five saves between the pipes for the Fords, while Renault grabbed three.
Dickinson won a game in the all-time series with the Fords for the first time since 2019.
Haverford now concludes a four-game homestand with a Wednesday, September 27 contest against DeSales. The Bulldogs and Fords will square off on Swan Field at 6 p.m.