GLASSBORO, N.J. – Playing outside of Pennsylvania for the first time in 2019, the Haverford College field hockey team (4-1) gave second-ranked host Rowan (5-0) a major test Saturday night, falling 1-0 on a goal that came off a penalty corner as time expired in the first half. Haverford applied heavy defensive pressure throughout the contest, limiting the offensive chances for the Profs and consistently frustrating the hosts in their attacking third.
Sunny Truslow made a trio of saves in the early goings, holding strong despite facing a bevy of penalty corners in the first 15 minutes. In the second quarter, Emma Iacobucci broke through the Rowan back line and fired a shot directly on frame, as Morgan Novak was forced to make a lunging save to deny Haverford an opening goal.
Anna Kirn delivered a shot on target moments later, but Novak was again there to make the denial. With two seconds remaining in the first half, Rowan was awarded a penalty corner, and converted after the second period timer had already expired. Bridget Guinan was able to power one into the cage off a feed from Bridget Boyle, smacking a shot towards the far post and giving the Profs the lead heading into the intermission.
Truslow had four saves at the half for the Fords, while Novak made a pair in the first 30 minutes of action.
The Fords had a pair of corner opportunities early in the third, but Roxy Vassighi had her strong shot attempt saved by Novak. A stout effort in the circle for Haverford denied the next Rowan penalty corner, and an early Guinan shot in the fourth was also turned away by a Truslow save. With just over seven minutes to play in the contest, Leela Krishnan made a defensive save on a Boyle shot attempt, and the Fords kept the intensity up in the waning moments of play.
Haverford had an extra attacker for a large chunk of the final minutes following a series of green cards issued to Rowan, but the Profs did well to maintain possession despite being down a player.
Haverford, receiving votes in the latest NFHCA coaches' poll, pestered the offensive rhythm of the defending national semifinalists, never allowing breakaways to develop in the second half. The game ended with the teams playing 10-on-10 as Krystyna Hovell and Vassighi were each sent to the sidelines with green cards. Truslow was called into duty one final time in the last seconds, making her career-best sixth save on a Kristiina Castagnola shot to keep the margin at just one.
The Fords will next be in action Wednesday, September 18, hosting Juniata (2-3) for a 7 p.m. first pass on Swan Field. The matchup will be just the second between the two programs, and first since 2007.