HAVERFORD, Pa. - On an absolutely perfect, cool, October Wednesday, the Haverford College Women's Soccer team (6-6-1, 2-4 CC) picked up a crucial three conference points, with a 3-0 clean sheet win over Ursinus (4-6-3, 0-4-2 CC) in Centennial Conference women's soccer action on Walton Field.
The game was part of the Centennial Conference's Mental Health Awareness Week. Fans at this game and games throughout the week are encouraged to wear green to conference games to show their support of the initiative. Green is the color of mental health, representing hope, strength, support, and encouragement. The matchup was in partnership with conference chapters of The Hidden Opponent, an accredited non-profit and advocacy group that raises awareness for student-athletes mental health and addresses the stigma within sports culture.
The first chance of the contest belonged to the Fords, when junior Grace Haskell fired a shot from outside the box, only to be saved by Ursinus keeper Maddie Nau.
The 16th minute of the match saw the first goal off a stunning strike from Liv McMillan. With her back turned towards goal, the Senior forward received a pass from Haskell at the top of the box. She then turned to her right and fired a left footed curler past Nau to give the Scarlet and Black a 1-0 lead.
The Fords continued on the attack in the 23rd minute, when Haskell got onto the end of a pass from Sarah Klink, and struck one on frame. A fantastic save from Nau prevented Haverford from going up 2-0.
Haskell continued the foot on the pedal motto, finding the back of the net in the 30th minute. The play started with Phobe Garfield, who was able to slash her way through the midfield, causing all kinds of problems for the Ursinus defense. The junior midfielder then slotted in a teasing through ball to Haskell, who cut to her left and finessed a shot behind Nau to give Haverford the 2-0 lead.
Three more dangerous chances were stopped by Nau as Haverford took the game to halftime holding onto a 2-0 lead. At the half, Haverford had a substantial lead in shots 14-4, and corner kicks, 6-2.
The Scarlet and Black were on the attack again in the 52nd minute, when sophomore defender Abi Baker steered a header on frame off a corner kick, only to be denied by Nau.
Just a few minutes later, Haskell was looking for goal number two, when she put herself in a fantastic position to receive a pass from Garfield. With the ball at her feet, she unleashed a teasing shot on frame, but it was parried away by Nau.
First-year goalkeeper Allie Billups was called into action in the 57th minute, as she rose to the occasion and caught a long distance shot served in by Kalli Roskos.
Haverford almost went up by three in the 60th minute, off a loud shot by Haskell. The junior forward received a pass from Garfield at the top of the box, and one-timed a rocket towards the frame. The shot clanged squarely off the crossbar, keeping the game at 2-0.
The Fords were just as sharp on defense as they were on offense, as the defense was called into action in the 75th minute. Ursinus' Sam Wechsler, dribbled away from Billups and rifled a shot on a wide open net. Sophomore defender JJ Stein bravely got in the way, and headed the shot away, preserving the 2-0 lead for the Scarlet and Black.
The Fords finally found their insurance goal in the 87th minute, with Klink heading one home. The junior midfielder moved to the back post off a corner from McMillan, and headed one into the back of the net for the 3-0 lead.
That would be enough for the Fords, as Haverford ended the game with a big 3-0 win over Ursinus.
Billups ended her second career start with three saves, and her first career clean sheet. Her Ursinus counterpart Nau finished the contest with an impressive nine saves.
Haverford held the advantage in shots, outshooting the Bears 21-8, and corner kicks, sending in 13 as opposed to Ursinus' four.
The Fords will remain home for their next contest, as the Green Terror of McDaniel come to campus October 14. Kick-off is slated for 12 p.m. in the first game of a men's and women's doubleheader on Walton Field.