LANCASTER, Pa. – The Haverford College women's soccer team (11-6-2, 5-3-2 CC) endured a heartbreaking 1-0 overtime loss to Franklin & Marshall (9-4-6, 6-1-3 CC) on a crisp Tuesday evening at Tylus Field on the campus of Franklin & Marshall College.
In the ninth minute, the Fords created their first prime opportunity of the game. Following a crafty flick by Grace Haskell into the box, Phoebe Garfield launched a shot toward the upper left corner of the net. The ball struck the crossbar and dropped back down to the turf, allowing the Diplomats to narrowly escape.
Haskell continued to cause problems for the F&M backline, as she put a shot on target in the 12th minute that was saved by Diplomat goalkeeper Lucy Fleming.
Both teams played cautiously, yet took their chances throughout the remainder of the first half, but both Fleming and Haverford goalkeeper Allie Billups held firm, leading to a scoreless halftime. By the end of the first half, the Fords had outshot the Diplomats 5-1, with Garfield leading the Scarlet and Black with three shots, including one on goal. Seven minutes into the second half, the Fords had another golden opportunity. Olivia D'Aulerio sent a ball from the right flank to the far post, where Haskell and Kris Prince both attempted to connect. However, neither could get a touch on it, and the chance ended with a goal kick.
In the 62nd minute, the Scarlet and Black threatened again off a deep free kick from the backline. After a chipped ball into the box, an F&M defender's header redirected it toward the center, where D'Aulerio rocketed a shot on target, only for Fleming to handle it with ease.
As the game wound down, Haverford continued pressing for a breakthrough strike. In the 75th minute, Katie Dowd advanced with pace through the midfield and laid the ball off to Haskell, who turned in the box and unleashed a shot on goal. However, Fleming made a critical diving save to keep the Diplomats in the game.
Neither the Fords nor the Diplomats could find the back of the net by the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime knotted at 0-0.
In the 95th minute of golden-goal overtime, Franklin & Marshall found the game-winning goal. Following a throw-in, Hayden Wilson whipped a cross into the box that took a dangerous bounce. Dahlia Pepe directed a soft header toward Kate Boujoukos, who slotted the ball past Billups to secure a 1-0 victory for the Diplomats in dramatic fashion.
Haverford recorded 12 shots in the game, with Garfield leading the team with four. D'Aulerio and Haskell each contributed three shots. In goal, Billups made four saves on five shots faced.
Haverford wraps up a 10+ win season for the first time since the 2019, and returned to the Centennial Conference playoffs for the first time since that season as well. The Fords will return 14 of their goals from this season, and 36 of its points from 2024. Heading into 2025, Women's Soccer hopes to take another step forward after a successful 2024 campaign.