CHESTERTOWN, Md. - Washington College (5-5-3, 2-2-1 CC) stunned the Haverford College women's soccer team (5-6-1, 1-4 CC) with an early goal, to set the tone in a Centennial Conference clash, ultimately securing a 3-0 victory
Just 27 seconds in, the Shorewomen found the back of the net. Right off the tap, Washington College went on the attack. It was Emily Morris who launched a teasing bouncing ball from midfield into the box. Audrey Flanagan got onto the end of it, and vollied a lofting ball past Allie Billups to make it 1-0.
The 29th minute saw the first Haverford chance of the game, when Keira Prince took a shot that just went wide right of the net. Billups made her first collegiate save in the 31st minute, stopping a deflected shot from Ellen Daly.
The Fords had their first real menacing chance of the first half in the 33rd minute off a shot by Emma Kirk. On a corner kick clearance, the ball found its way back to the wing where Kirk sent in a dangerous skipping ball on frame that was smothered by Shorewomen keeper Hailey Sharpe.
J.J. Stein added a dangerous opportunity of her own in the 35th minute, as she pounced on top of a set-piece clearance, and one-timed a shot that went wide left of the goal.
Billups added two more saves for the Fords by halftime, denying Morris and Daly. At half, Washington College held the advantage in shots (7-3), while the Scarlet and Black held a 3-0 corner kick advantage.
Two minutes into the second half, the Shorewomen struck once again. Flanagan caused more problems for the Fords backline, as she whipped in a dangerous cross into the middle. The ball bounced past Billups, and was hammered home by Bridget Whiteside, who made the score 2-0.
Following a corner kick that saw two Haverford shots blocked and another saved, Washington College found their third goal of the game in the 62nd minute. Similarly to the first goal, another long ball over the back line fell to the feet of who else but Flanagan, as the Shorewomen forward chipped a high spinning ball over Billups and into the net to make it 3-0 in favor of the hosts.
Despite three more shots on frame in the contest by Kirk, Julia Noppenberger, and Keira Prince, the Shorewomen were able to prevail 3-0.
The game ended with Washington College having a one shot advantage 10-9, as well as a 5-3 lead in saves. The Fords had four corner kicks as opposed to the Shorewomen's two, while a physical contest saw 22 total fouls with Washington College being charged with 14.
The Fords will return to action October 11 at Walton Field, as they host Ursinus. This game will serve as the Mental Health Awareness game, as the Centennial Conference will be promoting mental health awareness at matchups throughout the week.