CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Haverford College women's soccer team is slated for a return to the Centennial Conference playoffs following a 3-0 win on the road against Washington College Wednesday evening. Tonight's victory guarantees the Fords (10-3-3, 4-2-2 CC) their first postseason action since the NCAA Tournament in 2013.
As has been the case all season long, it was a complete team effort that carried the Fords into the playoffs as three different players found the back of the net in the win. Each of those three goals was assisted by someone other than the three goal scorers. Defensively, Haverford recorded its 10th shutout of the season, just one behind the College record of 11 shutouts by the 1995 Fords.
Haverford racked up an 18-4 advantage in shots over the 90 minute contest, but the Fords needed just their first shot to put away the game-winning goalading fourth. Lindsay Wytkind played a nice pass up to Abby Letts for the first goal. Letts' goal tied her for the team lead with three goals. Wytkind was credited with her second assist of the season.
Four saves from Washington College's Courtney Colbert kept the score at a single goal difference after one half of play. Nevertheless, Haverford left no doubt in the second half as it took all 11 shots in the final 45 minutes. Kristen Fiore once again showed great field vision as she found Raina Fitzpatrick wide open in front of the net for the team's second goal. Fitzpatrick now has two goals on the year. Fiore's assist gave her the team lead with four helpers in 2016.
Ali Lopez capped the Fords' scoring in the 88th minute of play when her senior classmate Alex Alavi played a beautiful cross into the box. Lopez's goal was her second of the year while Alavi became the 17th different player to record a point this season with her first assist of the year.
That offense was more than enough for Kathy Prescott and the Haverford defense. Prescott stopped three shots in the first half to record her eighth solo shutout of the season and the 12th of her Haverford career.
Women's soccer can now play its way into a home game during the first round of the Centennial Conference playoffs with either a win on Saturday against Swarthmore or a Gettysburg loss or tie against Johns Hopkins. The Fords will travel to that aforementioned Swarthmore contest as another night game set to get underway at 7 p.m. this Saturday awaits the team in the regular season finale. That matchup also represents one of six Hood Trophy points which will be given out this weekend.