HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team defeated the Lebanon Valley College Dutchmen, 4-2 behind a career-high two goals from sophomore Paige Carson at Swan Field on Saturday afternoon.
Lebanon Valley got on the board first with a quick tally at the three minute mark as Rachel Gorman found Kristen Garman off a corner who then shot it past Haverford goaltender Lindsey Lopes. Two minutes later, the Fords looked for the equalizer when a shot by sophomore Sydney Cone was blocked. Senior Sarah Waldis had her follow-up attempt sent away while Carson answered with a shot that was wide.
Right before the first period ended, the Fords were rewarded a corner. Along the right side of the field, senior Allison Martin found sophomore Stephanie Terrell in the middle of the circle, who touched it by Lebanon Valley goalie Victoria ByDeley to tie the game at one. The Fords controlled the pace in the first 35 minutes of game play, outshooting the Dutchmen 15-6 and registering an 8-1 advantage in corners.
Despite holding a lead, the field hockey team did not let up in the second half. After the Dutchmen made a goalie change, the Fords peppered new goalie Kendra Moll with two shots in first three minutes of the stanza. At the 42:18 mark, sophomore Elena Veale found Carson, who deposited it past Moll to put Haverford in front, 2-1.
In the 62nd minute, freshman Paige Powell took the ball through two defenders into the circle and fired it in the back of the cage for her first collegiate goal. The Dutchmen responded 22 seconds later as Brittany Fleisher cut the deficit to one. Six minutes later, Waldis sent a pass across the circle and found Carson who tapped it in for her second goal of the contest, giving the Fords' an insurance tally.
Carson's four goals in 2015 are only one shy of her mark from her freshman campaign. Waldis' assist was her sixth point this year, adding to her career best. Terrell's goal tied her mark from 2014.
The Fords finished the contest with 27 shots with 15 landing on goal while Lebanon Valley had 12 shots, five reaching the goal. Six different Fords had at least four shots. Lopes made three saves in the win.
Today was only the fifth win in program history for the Fords in 20 games against the Dutchmen. Head coach Jackie Cox's squad improves to 2-2 overall while Lebanon Valley drops to 2-3. The Fords will welcome Immaculata to Swan Field on Tuesday with the game scheduled for 5 p.m.