HAVERFORD, Pa. – A furious second half rally from the Haverford College women's soccer team came up just short on Wednesday evening as the Fords came within a goal, but fell by a 3-2 final. Ursinus (9-2, 4-1 CC) jumped out to a 2-0 and eventually 3-1 lead in the opening half. Haverford (7-2-1, 0-2-1 CC) answered with a goal in the 56th minute, but never found the equalizer despite some very good looks.
Ursinus' Jeannie Jasinski led the Bears' offense and got her night off to a quick start with a pair of goals in the first 12-plus minutes of the contest. Jasinski opened the contest's scoring with a goal just 8:54 in as she took possession at the top of the 18 and fired a shot that just got under the crossbar. She added her second goal less than four minutes later off a pass from Mackenzie Groff.
Haverford's offense came to life in the 33rd minute when Jo Haller sent a direct kick towards goal and beat the keeper to the far post. Haller's goal, which came from about 25 yards out, was her fifth of the season and brought the match back within a goal. Nevertheless, the Bears connected on a cross with Kendall Couch and Paige Abronski tallying the goal and respective assist to make it 3-1 at the half.
Coming out of the break, Haverford again made it a one-goal match when Raina Fitzpatrick tallied her fourth goal of the season in the 56th minute of play. Taking a shot that originated as a short corner play, Fitzpatrick took a feed from Kristen Fiore to make it a 3-2 score. Fiore's assist was her first helper of the year to compliment her three goals.
The Fords were denied an early go ahead goal as Haller banged a shot off the crossbar just five minutes into the match. Haverford was unlucky for the second time in the 63rd minute when Maryanna Solecki's shot also rung off the bar. The hosts also had a prime opportunity to score in the 81st minute of play with the keeper out of position but sent a shot over the crossbar.
Haverford finished with a 16-13 advantage in shots for the contest. That advantage included a 7-5 edge during the final 45 minutes. The Fords' attack came from a variety of angles as seven different players took a shot. Haller led the team with five shots, while Grace Mathis and Fitzpatrick finished with three shots. Solecki took a pair of shots for the match, while three other players had a single shot on Wednesday evening. Kathy Prescott made three saves on the evening to anchor Haverford's defense.
Women's soccer will now head out on the road this Saturday as the Fords travel to Franklin & Marshall. This weekend's match is scheduled for a 6 p.m. start.