HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's soccer team recorded its second straight conference victory on Wednesday afternoon with a 4-1 win against visiting Muhlenberg. The Fords (9-2-1, 2-2-1 CC) jumped out to a 3-0 lead in just 17:53 of playing time. The Mules (3-9-1, 2-4-0 CC) got one back in the first half, but got no closer as Haverford posted the only scoring of the final 45 minutes.
Anna Dekle opened and closed the scoring with Haverford's first and fourth goals of the match. For good measure, Dekle assisted on the game-winning goal for a career-high five points during the first multi-goal game of her college career. Abby Letts was the beneficiary of Dekle's assist on the game-winning tally. Jo Haller also scored and assisted on a goal during Wednesday's Centennial Conference victory.
Haverford put the Mules' defense under heavy pressure for seemingly the entire first half en route to racking up a 13-2 edge in shots during the opening period. The Fords did not have to wait long for the offensive pressure to pay off as Dekle's first goal came just 3:21 into the match when Ali Lopez's pass helped Dekle beat the defense for the 1v1 finish on net. Lopez's assist was her second of the year.
Just under seven minutes after opening the scoring, Haverford was back on the attack with its first of five corner kick opportunities during the match. Dekle had the initial shot at goal, but saw her attempt saved by the Mules' keeper. However, the rebound went right to Letts and she finished for the first goal of her career.
The Fords' third goal of the evening came during the 18th minute of play when Kristen Fiore drove down the sideline and was able to slip by her defender and gain an angle for a cross to the top of the six where Haller was waiting. Haller's goal was her team-leading seventh of the season, while Fiore's helper gives her two on the year.
The Mules regained a little bit of momentum right before the break when Makenzie O'Brien created enough space in the Fords' defense for her fourth goal of the season. The 3-1 Haverford advantage carried into the break, but Dekle capped the offense for the evening in the 67th minute. Her fifth goal of the season now gives her 12 points on the year after earlier recording her second assist. Haller's assist tied her for the team lead with four on the year.
Haverford finished the conference battle with a 20-8 advantage in shots on the afternoon. Haller had five of those attempts, while Skyler Ellenburg, Grace Mathis, and Dekle each had three shots for the contest. In goal, Ali Weiner made the first start of her collegiate career. She recorded her first victory in the start by making three saves.
Women's soccer will be back at home this Saturday to take on Johns Hopkins at 1 p.m. The game on Walton Field will serve as the first half of a doubleheader with the men's team battling Muhlenberg at 3:30 p.m.