HAVERFORD, Pa. -  The Haverford College field hockey team (4-2) toppled No. 10 Rowan (4-3) on Wednesday evening at Swan Field, prevailing by a 4-3 final score. The Fords used four first-half goals to stake their advantage, and then held on with strong defense in the second half to deny the Profs. 

Haverford posted a win over a top 10 opponent for the first time since beating then-No. 8 Rowan on September 18, 2021. This is the second consecutive home victory over the Profs in the all-time series. The Fords wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, lighting the lamp in the sixth minute of play. With the ball played into the circle, Erica Pardón sent a feed across the cage to Anna Bradley, who one-timed a quick pass to the waiting stick of Naomi York, who powered it home for the early Haverford advantage. 

The Fords doubled their advantage on the very next shot, as Zoey Despines collected the ball near the top of the circle and rocketed in a long pass that found Pardón in front of the goal mouth, as the Fords suddenly found themselves in a strong position against one of the nation's most vaunted squads. Rowan had a solid scoring opportunity in the 10th minute, but a pair of Profs were denied by defensive saves from Margaret Martin, who was perfectly positioned to keep Rowan off the scoreboard.

At the end of the first quarter, Rowan pulled a goal back courtesy of Vanessa DiDonato, but the Fords had an immediate answer, scoring on the first shot of the second period. This time it was Pardón again finding the back of the cage. Bradley made an efficient short pass to the first year, who hammered it home for her second of the contest just 21 seconds into the stanza.

Efficiency was the theme of the night for the Fords, as just one shot attempt later, Haverford again found paydirt. On a corner attempt, York inserted the ball and immediately got herself into perfect position to take a redirection from Allison Cubell and score her second of the evening for a commanding 4-1 lead. 

DiDonato scored just seconds before the halftime whistle on a penalty stroke, but Haverford held a three-goal lead heading into the intermission. The two teams were held scoreless in a defensive-minded third period, and after Martin denied Rowan yet again with her third defensive save of the night, Cienna Bosher got one back for the visitors in the 50th minute to make things a bit more tense on Swan Field. 

Haverford hit the post on back-to-back shots in the 52nd minute, looking for an insurance goal, but ultimately were forced to sweat out the victory as Rowan earned a player advantage after a green card on Haverford with under two minutes to play, chasing the equalizer. A huge defensive stop on a penalty corner in the waning moments sealed things for the hosts, who kicked off a huge celebration at the final whistle. 

Holly Vincent paced the Fords with three shots while Mary Smith added four saves between the pipes for her fourth victory of the season. DiDonato fired six shots for the Profs, connecting on each of her attempts.

Haverford will now return to action at home on Saturday against Dickinson, in the conference opener for both teams. The contest on Swan Field is slated to begin at 1 p.m.