HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's soccer team turned around its recent run of one goal decisions during Centennial Conference play in its own favor on Saturday, claiming a 2-1 victory against visiting Franklin & Marshall. The Fords (5-4-2, 1-3 CC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead with the first goals of the season from both Michelle Babicz and Krista Federici. The Diplomats (1-10, 0-5 CC) threatened with a goal late in the second half but the Fords held on for their first conference victory of the season.
Haverford controlled the majority of the game, outshooting F&M by a 14-8 margin over the 90 minutes. The Fords also held a 9-2 advantage in corner kick opportunities. The hosts got on the board in the eighth minute of the game when Babicz was able to finish from close range. Playing on a slick surface, a scramble inside the box was settled when Phoebe Miller gained possession near the end line. Miller found Babicz for the close finish. Miller's assist was her second of the year, while Babicz's goal was the fourth of her career.
The Fords also scored quickly to start the second half as Federici beat the Diplomats' last defender and goalkeeper in the 56th minute. Receiving a cross from Skyler Ellenburg, Federici made a quick move to slip her defender and beat the goalie to the far post for the first goal of her career. Ellenburg's assist was also the first of her career. With two new goal scorers on the season after today's contest, 10 different players have scored a goal for the Fords this season.
F&M got within a goal during the 76th minute of play when the Diplomats' Brianna Reid scored her third goal of the season on a pass from Kyra Judge. F&M had three shots after scoring its initial goal; however, Kathy Prescott came up with saves in the 82nd and 87th minutes of play and watched another shot attempt sail wide of the goal in the 85th minute.
Making her first collegiate start, Prescott came up with four saves in the game to post the victory for Haverford. The sophomore was called on to make two saves in both the first and second halves of play for her first career victory.
Much like it has been all year long, the offense was a varied attack with nine different players recording shots in the match for the Fords. Federici took a team-high three shots on the afternoon, while Kristin Hasselgren, Ellenburg and Miller each took two shots on the afternoon. Babicz's goal came on her only shot of the afternoon.
Women's soccer will now head out on the road for its next two Centennial Conference matches in the upcoming week. The first of those dates will be Tuesday at Muhlenberg. That contest is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.