HAVERFORD, Pa.– Playing under the lights of Swan Field for the first time in the 2024 campaign, the Haverford College field hockey team (2-0) secured a 1-0 victory over Stockton (1-2) in its home opener on Wednesday evening. The Fords controlled the offensive tempo throughout, holding a 19-7 advantage in shots and an 8-2 edge in corner opportunities.
The breakthrough came with less than four minutes remaining in regulation when Ileana Rodriguez tipped in a pass from Joelle McElroy, igniting celebrations on the Haverford bench.Haverford outshot Stockton in every period, starting strong with Erica Pardón and Naomi York both sending shots on goal in the first six minutes. The Fords earned a penalty corner in the ninth minute and nearly scored on the chance, but Zoey Despines' shot was deflected by the Osprey defense.
The visitors' most dangerous scoring chance came at the end of the first quarter, when Mary Smith turned away three consecutive Stockton shots. Carlee Thompson had a great chance on goal, followed by a redirection from Kylee Donegan that was denied by the senior.
In the second quarter, Pardón and Despines had solid scoring opportunities, but Stockton's Erika Roura made a key save in the 25th minute. With a player advantage after a green card in the 30th minute, York inserted a penalty corner to McElroy at the top of the circle, but her shot was blocked, leaving the teams scoreless at halftime.
The Fords continued to pressure Roura early in the third quarter, with York putting two shots on target, followed by opportunities from Despines and Pardón in the 37th minute. Despite playing a player down after a green card, Haverford's defense stood firm, turning away an Osprey penalty corner and blocking a shot from Kirsten Bailey.
As the game neared its conclusion, with overtime looming, the Fords found the decisive goal. Rodriguez had a shot on target that was saved by the Osprey defense, with a defender lunging to deny the opportunity with the keeper already beat. After another corner try from York, the ball bounced to McElroy, who sent a powerful blast on frame towards Rodriguez. Rodriguez took the deflection and then skillfully beat the keeper at the near post.
With just minutes left, the Fords maintained possession and denied Stockton any significant opportunities to equalize in the final seconds.
Mary Smith recorded her second win of the season, earning a clean sheet with four saves. Erica Pardón led the game with five shots, four of which were on target. Roura made 10 saves in a valiant effort for Stockton.
The Fords return to action with a rare Sunday matinee against No. 7 Christopher Newport on September 8. The contest is set to begin at 11 a.m. as the Captains complete their Keystone State back-to-back with a match against F&M in Lancaster on Saturday.