CHESTERTOWN, Md. - The Haverford College field hockey team (6-4, 1-2 CC) made one of the longest road trips of the season to the Eastern Shore of Maryland on Wednesday evening, falling to the host Shorewomen of Washington College (6-4, 2-1 CC) by a 2-0 decision at Kirby Stadium as the hosts notched two fourth-quarter goals.
The first half of action was mostly quiet as the two teams began to get a feel for the rhythm of the contest, attempting to earn corners and get solid looks on frame. Washington College fired the first shot of the game in the seventh minute, and were awarded the first penalty corner in the 11th minute, but neither offensive chance led to a shot on goal.
Erica Pardón had Haverford's first shot attempt of the night in the 28th minute, as her attempt was saved by Shorewomen goalkeeper Charlotte Schurman. The second half saw a flurry of offensive chances.
In the 38th minute, Naomi York saw her shot sail just wide of the cage in what was Haverford's best scoring chance to that point. A trio of Washington penalty corners were successfully defended by the Fords, with Mary Smith lunging to deny MaryCate Anson in the 42nd minute.
Louisa Coughlin shot on target in the 43rd minute, and Smith notched a save just before the end of the third quarter, turning away Brynn Balliet. Washington College opened the scoring in the 46th minute, as Kate Gromacki found Ashley Swan down low for a deflection off a penalty corner entry feed, the first goal of the season for Swan.
Another penalty corner helped the hosts double the advantage just moments later. Kendal Thomson inserted the try to the top of the circle. The ball found the stick of Samantha Mcmahon who one-timed a pass to Thomson in front of the cage for a 2-0 visitors lead.
The Fords earned a last-chance penalty corner in the 59th minute, but were unable to record a shot attempt as the Washington College defense did well to stifle the Haverford attack.
Mary Smith was called into action to make four saves on the night, with three in the third quarter. Washington College held a 13-4 edge in shots, including an 11-3 edge in the second half, while the Shorewomen tallied seven penalty corners while allowing three to the Fords.
Field Hockey now returns to Swan Field for a 1 p.m. first pass against No. 3 Johns Hopkins on Saturday. The contest will be Haverford's annual Play With Pride match.