READING, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team (2-2) suffered a setback at the hands of host Alvernia (2-2) on Saturday afternoon, dropping a 3-0 decision to the Golden Wolves in early season non-conference action.
Haverford held a sizable 20-7 edge in shots, and out-cornered the hosts 24-3, but a huge performance from the pairing of Lexi Boettcher and Hannah Wolfe in the cage helped deny the visitors, as that duo combined for 13 saves.
The hosts went ahead in the fifth minute, as Rori Caulfield tallied on the first goal of the contest for either team. Haverford immediately was forced to chase the game, and had a renewed offensive focus with Erica Pardon putting a shot on frame in the 10th minute. Just moments later, Alvernia scored on the counter with Hailey Miller taking a feed from Caroline Martin and doubling the advantage.
The Golden Wolves added their third in the early goings of the second period after Mary Smith denied Brianna Burkholder and Miller in succession. Eventually, the ball found the stick of Olivia Hess who was able to take a pass from Miller and slide a goal home for a 3-0 cushion.
Abigail Trapp had a pair of shots on frame in the 20th minute, but Boettcher denied the salvos and the Fords headed into the intermission with work to do.
Lindsey Darby took over between the pipes for her collegiate debut, and was instantly tested as Alvernia earned a 31st minute corner. Rachel Marlin and Zoey Despines had solid looks on cage at the other end, and Louisa Coughlin had her shot attempt corralled in the 33rd.
Down the stretch, the Fords used a bevy of corner opportunities to keep the pressure on Alvernia, but Wolfe denied Coughlin and Pardon before a defensive save from Olivia Hess kept Zoey Despines off the scoreboard.
Poppy Swallow and Amy Kim each had decent shots on cage in the waning moments, but Wolfe was again there to deny the Fords.
In total, Despines and Pardon each had a game-high three shots on goal. Smith made two saves in the first half and Darby was not called into action to make a save in her second-half debut.
The Fords now return to action on Wednesday, hosting Elizabethtown under the lights on Swan Field. The contest is slated to begin at 6 p.m. and serves as a prelude to a weekend off from competition before returning for another home contest on September 20 against No. 3 Rowan.