HAVERFORD, Pa. - Playing just the second home night game in program history, the Haverford College women's soccer team (3-1-1) suffered its first defeat of the 2022 season, falling to visiting DeSales (3-1-1) by a 2-1 final under the lights on Swan Field Tuesday.
Haverford opened the scoring in the 13th minute as Keira Prince weaved past the DeSales defense, fighting off a defender and slotting a high arching shot towards the far post for her second goal of the season.
DeSales had an immediate answer, scoring in the 14th minute as Meghan Foley took a pass from Holly McFarland and buried a strong shot towards the near post to tie the score at 1-1. All three of the goals in the contest came in the first 16 minutes of play, as Foley added her second of the contest just moments later, taking a feed from Allie Trick and burying the go-ahead goal for the visitors. Despite all three goals in the contest coming on successive shots, Haverford had some chances late in the first half as Celia Page put a strong shot on frame in the 24th minute and missed just high in the 38th minute, with the Fords slowly building momentum with much of the action occurring in its attacking third at the end of the half.
In the second half, Liv McMillan had a shot on target in the 54th, and Grace Haskell and Sadie Kim each rocketed strong attempts as Haverford seemingly had all of the offensive momentum in the second period. Prince had a chance at tying the score late, but goalkeeper Hannah Pacheco did well to keep the Fords off the scoreboard with six saves to her credit.
Claire Cywes made four saves for the Fords. Page added a game-best four shots, including two on target. In total, the Fords outshot DeSales 14-11, with eight of those coming in the second half. Haverford earned four corners in the final 45 minutes of action.
The meeting was the first between the two sides since the 2016 campaign and the Bulldogs' first win in the series, as Haverford holds the edge 4-1 all-time.
Women's Soccer will next be in action on Saturday, September 17 back at Walton Field, opening up Centennial Conference play against Dickinson at noon.