RADNOR, Pa. – The Haverford College women's soccer team erupted for six goals in its season opener Tuesday evening at Cabrini. The Fords (1-0) scored three times in each half, while Kathy Prescott recorded her first career shutout in goal to get the season started on a positive note. Tuesday's result marks the fourth straight season the Fords have started off the year with a shutout.
Although not an uncommon occurrence to post a shutout in the season opener as the Fords have done so 13 times prior, Tuesday's result was largest margin of victory in a season opener in program history. It also marks the largest margin of victory for Haverford since an identical 6-0 blanking of Washington College during the 2012 season.
Jo Haller and Raina Fitzpatrick each scored twice to pace the Fords' offense in the victory. Haller, a team captain, added an assist in the win. Kristen Fiore and freshman Hannah Krapes also tallied in the win for Haverford. Fiore's goal was the first of her Haverford career, while Krapes tallied in her first collegiate action. Fitzpatrick's two tallies were also the first of her career.
Haller set the Haverford attack in motion during the 18th minute when she broke through for an unassisted tally. It would take the Fords less than 10 minutes for Haller's scoring partner, Fitzpatrick to make it 2-0 on another unassisted goal. In the 36th minute of play, Fiore's first career goal was set up by Krapes for her first career point.
The Haverford offense showed no signs of content with the 3-0 lead as Haller scored her second goal of the year just over four minutes into the second half. Eight minutes after scoring her second, she set up Fitzpatrick for her second goal of the evening. Putting the final goal of the first half in motion with an assist, Krapes closed the scoring with the Fords' sixth and final tally of the night in the 88th minute of play.
Krapes' three point night closed a dominant offensive performance for Haverford as the Fords held a 27-11 advantage in shots, 16-7 advantage in shots on goal, and 5-3 edge in corner kick attempts. Haller led the offense with seven total shots on the night. Fellow goal scorers Fitzpatrick and Fiore each tallied three shots for the contest. On the defensive end, Prescott turned away seven shots for her first career shutout. She faced 11 shots in total for the evening.
After a great start to the season, women's soccer will now play its first contest on the newly renovated Walton Field this Saturday as part of the Haverford College Kick Off Classic. The Fords are defending champions in the event and will open up the classic with Arcadia at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Sunday's action will include both the championship and consolation match. Eastern and Brockport will make up the other game on Saturday.