CARLISLE, Pa. - The Haverford College field hockey team (4-3, 1-0 CC) defeated the host Dickinson Red Devils (3-5, 0-1 CC) on Saturday afternoon, in the Centennial Conference opener at the Biddle Field Complex in Carlisle.
The Red Devils opened up the scoring quickly, finding the back of the cage a few minutes into the contest. Erin Liggio of Dickinson came sprinting towards the right side of the cage, smacking a ball towards the far post. After a slight deflection off Mary Smith's stick, Sophia Pereira slotted the ball home to give the hosts a 1-0 lead at just the 3:25 mark.
The Fords answered back with 6:44 to go in the first half, after drawing a crucial penalty corner. Off the designed play, a shot from Rachel Marlin ricocheted off some traffic in front of Red Devil goalie Taylor Morrow. Erica Pardón, positioned past the keeper, pounced onto the ball and fired one into the back of the cage to level the game at 1-1.
Just over a minute into the second half, Pardón found goal number two of the day, giving the Scarlet and Black a 2-1 lead. Zoey Despines caused chaos along the Dickinson backline, as the senior sprinted into the circle with the ball. Despines chopped the ball towards the far post, as Pardon was able to reach her stick out and redirect the ball into the cage to give the Fords a 2-1 lead.
Just over seven minutes later, Haverford found a much-needed insurance goal. A turnover in the back from the Red Devils was controlled by Naomi York, who played a ball towards Poppy Swallow along the right flank. Swallow maneuvered her way towards the cage, smacking a ball towards the near post. Ileana Rodriguez was there on the doorstep, as the senior placed a shot past Morrow into the cage to give the Fords a 3-1 cushion.
Despite a few threatening attempts by Dickinson in the fourth quarter, the Haverford defense stood tall against the Red Devils, claiming a 3-1 victory on the road to open the CC slate on strong footing.
Dickinson ended up outshooting the Scarlet and Black 18-9, however, four big saves from Smith quieted the Red Devil offense. Pardon and Louisa Coughlin led the way offensively for the Fords, both putting up two shots, with Pardon steering both attempts into the back of the cage.
Following the victory against Dickinson, the Fords will return to action on Wednesday, October 2, for a non-conference excursion as the River Hawks of Susquehanna roll into the 'Ford for a non-conference matchup under the lights of Swan Field at 7 p.m.