HAVERFORD, Pa. – A goal from Ali Lopez in the 19th minute of play was the only offense the Haverford College women's soccer team needed Saturday afternoon against visiting Stevenson. The Fords (6-0-1), ranked No. 22 in the latest NSCAA Poll, got a strong defensive effort that was anchored by Kathy Prescott to blank the Mustangs (3-6) in non-conference action.
Lopez's goal in the opening half of Saturday's match now ties her for the team lead with four on the season. The Fords' junior has scored in each of the last three games. All of her goals this season have come within the last five matches, while she also has recorded a point in five of the past six contests. Anchoring a solid team defense, Prescott recorded her third shutout of the season by tying her career high with seven saves to preserve the Haverford victory.
Prescott was called on to make a pair of saves in the opening 13 minutes of Saturday's action, while the Fords also blocked down a Stevenson shot and watched another sail wide of the target during that time. However, Haverford begin to gain offensive traction in the 18th minute of play with a corner kick.
After no offense materialized on the first try at a corner, Haverford regained possession just over a minute later. Skyler Ellenburg made the run down the left sideline to get behind her defender for a cross. Her cross initially deflected off of the Stevenson defense but found its way to the foot of Lopez for the only goal in Saturday's tilt.
Following the early 1-0 lead, Prescott was called on to make two more saves in the opening half. She came up cleanly with both of those runs at goals to maintain the Fords' 1-0 lead at the break despite nine shots from the Stevenson offense.
To preserve the lead over the final 45 minutes, Prescott and the Fords' defense were faced with eight more shots. Three of those attempts were on target, but the Fords' junior keeper continually stifled the Mustangs' offense for the entire 90 minutes despite 17 total shots from the visitors.
Haverford finished Saturday's contest with 11 shots. Jo Haller took four of those attempts, but saw each of her three shots on goal saved by Tiffany McKee. Kristen Fiore also took a pair of shots and had one of those attempts turned away by McKee. Lopez's goal came on her only shot of the contest.
Women's soccer will host its final non-conference match of the regular season this coming Wednesday as the Fords welcome Moravian to Walton Field. Wednesday's match is slated for a 4:30 p.m. start.