HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's soccer team staked its claim to a share of first place in the Centennial Conference standings with a 2-0 shutout victory against McDaniel on Saturday afternoon. The Fords (11-1-2, 5-0-2 CC) are now tied for the top spot with Dickinson after the visiting Green Terror (11-4, 5-3 CC) came into Saturday's action atop the conference table. The Fords are unbeaten during their last 13 matches, which is just two results shy of the school record that was accomplished during both the 2004 and 2005 seasons.
Two second half goals were the difference as the Fords broke through in the 60th minute of play on a goal from Kendra Griesman before adding insurance courtesy of Leanne Ludwick with just under seven minutes to play. Haverford has now recorded 10 shutouts through its first 14 contests, just one shy of the school record of 11 team shutouts during the 1995 campaign.
Haverford had more opportunities than the Green Terror in the opening half as the Fords held a 6-4 edge in shots after 45 minutes of play. However, three saves from the McDaniel keeper and one from Hannah Friedrich sent the teams deadlocked into the halftime break.
The Fords broke the scoreless tie on their eighth shot of the afternoon as reigning Centennial Conference Defensive Player of the Week Lindsay Wytkind got into the offensive act and played a perfect cross into the box which was headed home by Griesman. Griesman's tally was her fourth this season and eighth of her career. Five of those eight goals have now been game-winners. Each of Griesman's four goals during her senior campaign have come during the team's last seven matches. Wytkind's assist marked her first career point since her helpers against Franklin & Marshall and Washington College during her rookie campaign.
Shortly after falling behind 1-0, McDaniel rang a shot of the crossbar to deny one of the Green Terror's 10 second half shots which allowed them to finish the match with 14-10 edge in total shots. Nevertheless, Friedrich made four more saves in the second half to preserve the win and record her eighth solo shutout this fall.
Up 1-0 in the final minutes, Ludwick added a cushion with her Centennial Conference-leading 12th goal of the season as she finished a ball played into the box from Celia Page. Ludwick has now scored at least one goal in nine of the last 13 matches. Page was credited with her fourth assist of the season to go along with her eight goals. Haverford's first-year has now recorded either a goal or an assist in eight of the matches during Haverford's current unbeaten stretch.
Women's soccer will now have a full week to prepare for another battle at the top of the Centennial Conference standings as the Fords travel to Dickinson next Saturday, October 26. That match is slated for a 1 p.m. start in Carlisle.