HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's soccer team took another step towards earning a spot in the Centennial Conference Tournament with a 1-1 tie against No. 23 McDaniel on Senior Day. The Green Terror (13-1-1, 6-0-1 CC) scored the game's first goal in the 65th minute, but just under eight minutes later the Fords got an answer from senior Kristen Fiore.
With all six seniors (Alex Alavi, Tori D'Acunto, Kristen Fiore, Abby Letts, Ali Lopez, and Kathy Prescott) in the starting lineup for their final home game on Walton Field, that group helped guide the Fords to a key conference point. Fiore's goal was her first of the season as she became the 14th different player on Haverford's roster to find the back of the net. Her goal came off a scramble in the box with previous touches came from Katie Safter and Kendra Griesman.
With Haverford playing against a stiff wind in the opening half, the Green Terror held a 6-1 advantage in shots. Nevertheless, Kathy Prescott was in position to make a pair of saves to keep her side level. When the teams switched halves for the second 45 minutes, the Fords racked up a 14-3 advantage in shots. Despite the seemingly constant pressure, the Green Terror managed to score first with Katie Kirschenmann's ninth goal of the season.
Haverford nearly had the game-tying goal a mere four minutes later as Katie Safter ripped a shot that hit right off of the 90 angle of the post. Nevertheless, Safter's scrappy play in the 18 was rewarded in the 73rd minute when she kept a ball alive to Fiore. Safter's assist tied her for the team lead with three helpers, while Griesman recorded the first assist of her career on the play.
During the first overtime session, Katie Safter and Anna Dekle both saw their bids at the game-winning goal save by McDaniel goalie Sarah McDonald. The Green Terror sent a shot wide, a shot high, and saw a shot blocked down by the defense during its offensive chances. Each team had a pair of shots in the final 10 minutes of game action. Grace Mathis just missed high on Haverford's final two shots of the afternoon. Kathy Prescott made the final of three saves on the afternoon and watch the final Green Terror sail over the crossbar as the teams settled for the deadlock.
Women's soccer remains in fourth place in the Centennial Conference standings heading into the final weekend of the regular season. The Fords will finish out the regular season with a pair of night games as the team travels to Washington College (Wed., Oct. 26, 7 p.m.) and Hood Trophy rival Swarthmore (Sat., Oct. 29, 7 p.m.) with full control of a position in the conference's postseason.