HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team (5-7, 3-3 CC) earned a 1-0 victory over visiting Muhlenberg (5-7, 3-3 CC) on Wednesday evening at Swan Field, using a goal from Olivia Ahart at the end of the third quarter to sneak past the Mules in front of the home crowd. 

Muhlenberg was the aggressor on offense in the early goings, testing Mary Smith with shots on frame in the seventh, 11th, and 13th minutes as the sophomore goalkeeper did well to deal with those challenges. In total, Muhlenberg held a 4-0 edge in the first quarter. Haverford logged its first shot of the contest in the second, as Ahart put one on frame off a penalty corner in the 16th minute, but the Mules rocketed a pair of shots from that point, putting one on frame as Smith made all four of her saves in the first 30 minutes of action.

In the second half, Haverford flipped the script and was the more offensive-minded side. A flurry of action in the final moments of the third quarter helped deliver the game to the Fords, as Holly Vincent had two shots blocked off successive penalty corners before Haverford finally found its goal on the third corner try of the furious sequence, with Snowden sending a solid cross-cage pass to the waiting stick of Ahart, who one-timed a shot home to open the scoring. The goal was the first of the season for Ahart, while Snowden added her second assist of the season. with the well-timed helper. 

Haverford chased an insurance goal in the fourth, with Anna Bradley and Ahart each putting solid looks on cage in that stanza, but the defensive pressure of the Fords was the main story as the back line denied Muhlenberg any thoughts of tying the score as the visitors were held without a shot in the final 15 minutes of play. Muhlenberg held a 9-6 edge in shots on the night, but Haverford took advantage of its penalty corner opportunities with six of those to just four for the Mules. Haverford held a 5-3 edge in shots in the second half.

Smith picked up her fourth shutout of the season, as she also logged shutout victories over Eastern (Sep. 3), Stockton (Sep. 7) and McDaniel (Sep. 24). The Fords have now won two consecutive matchups with the Mules. This was Haverford's first win over Muhlenberg at home since 2017. Each regular season matchup between the two sides has been decided by one goal in a stretch dating back to 2013. 

Haverford has the weekend off from competition, but will return to action in earnest on Monday, heading to DeSales in some late-season non-conference action as the two sides make up a game that was originally slated for the beginning of September. First pass is slated for 7 p.m.