HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's soccer team scored just 4:20 into Saturday's Centennial Conference showdown against No. 8 Johns Hopkins and certainly had chances to add on, but it was the nationally-ranked Blue Jays who ultimately capitalized on more of their own chances during a 3-1 road win.
The Fords (5-3-1, 2-1 CC) outshot the Blue Jays (8-2-1, 3-0 CC) for the game, finishing with a 14-12 advantage in shots thanks to an 8-3 edge in the first half when Haverford had the wind at its back. Leanne Ludwick scored Haverford's goal as part of that strong opening half. Grace Mathis assisted on the tally and has now recorded a point in three straight matches. After her goal, Ludwick is tied for the team lead in goals with both Saede Eifrig and Raina Fitzpatrick. All three players have two goals in 2017. Mathis has a team-leading three assists on the season after her helper on Saturday.
Haverford created many more chances in the opening half, but just could not find a finishing touch. Those missed opportunities came back to haunt the Fords when Johns Hopkins got its first of two goals from Riley O'Toole to tie the score at one in the 26th minute.
Reversing sides for the second half, the Blue Jays also scored early with the wind as O'Toole tallied her second goal of the game on a header that put her team up 2-1. Haverford's best chance of the second half came when Mathis was taken down in the box during the 56th minute of play. However, Haverford missed the penalty kick attempt with a chance to tie the score. Johns Hopkins added its final goal in the 65th minute as Bailey Monaco scored unassisted to finish off the 3-1 game.
Ludwick's goal on Saturday came as part of her match-high five shots. Lindsay Wytkind and Skyler Ellenburg also finished with two shots for the Fords. Julie Hanss made three saves in goal on the afternoon. Each side finished with seven shots on goal as JHU goalie Bess Kitzmiller stopped six of those shots on target.
After its first Centennial Conference defeat of the year, women's soccer will look to bounce back with a pair of road contests this week. Haverford will travel to Ursinus this Wednesday for a 7:30 p.m. game under the lights in Collegeville. Next Saturday, the Fords head to Gettysburg for a 4 p.m. start in what will be a rematch of last year's Centennial Conference Tournament game.