HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's soccer program won its sixth Kickoff Classic title Sunday afternoon by virtue of a 2-0 win over Scranton in the championship match. Today's win marks the Fords' second championship win in three years after also winning the title in 2012.
Haverford (2-0) got a goal in each half to take the crown in its own tournament. Larisa Antonisse got the Fords on the board just over 10 minutes into the game. After taking the possession down the right flank, a cross into the box was directed by Connie Friedman and eventually knocked home by Antonisse for her first goal of the season. Friedman, who scored the game winner yesterday, assisted on the game-winning goal in this contest.
After a quick start, the first half did not see much more offensive action for either side as the Fords carried that 1-0 lead into the break. Scranton looked to answer back with a strong offensive push starting 10 minutes into the second half. The Royals saw a pair of their team's shots blocked down by the Haverford defense in the 56th minute from about 18 yards out. Scranton also hit the post in the 58th minute of play before sending the ricochet off the post high over the net.
Just under 10 minutes after surviving the Scranton attack, the Fords worked the ball down to their offensive third of the field and gained a throw-in along the right sideline. Off the throw-in from Abby Letts, Friedman played the directional header to freshman Anna Dekle. Dekle finished the possession with a header to the right side of the net for the first goal of her collegiate career. Friedman was credited with her second assist of the day while Letts was rewarded with her first assist of the season.
Haverford definitely made the most of its chances in the contest. Despite being outshot 13-5, the Fords scored on their only two shots on frame during the afternoon. In goal, Robin Chernow and her defense faced 13 shots on the afternoon. Of those, Chernow was called on to make seven saves. She would do so, posting back-to-back shutouts to start her senior campaign. Chernow now has a program-record 29.3 shutouts for her career in 60 games started in goal.
Women's soccer will head out on the road for the first time this season when it travels to Stevenson next Saturday. That match will get started at 3 p.m. and be the Fords only action next week.