HAVERFORD, Pa. - Going toe-to-toe with No. 2 Johns Hopkins at home on Walton Field Saturday, the Haverford College women's soccer team (3-3-2) was stunned by an 89th minute goal from Rachel Jackson, as the Blue Jays (6-0-1) came away with the victory after the last-ditch strike.
The Fords fired six shots in the first half, with Celia Page putting a shot on frame in the 16th minute and Alyssa Saito also rocketing on target in the 24th minute of play. Defensively, the Haverford back line was completely in tune in the early goings, denying the visitors any sort of rhythm in their attacking third. Constantly blocking shots during the first half, Haverford looked sharp as they clamped down to support Hannah Friedrich, who came up with a key save just before intermission, denying Alanna Craig with only 20 seconds remaining in the stanza.
In the second half, both teams turned up the intensity as the Blue Jays tested Friedrich with a degree of regularity. Fortunately, the senior was up for the task, making a save on an Amaya Ellis header in the 57th minute. The back line was called into action to deny the Blue Jays yet again in the 67th minute, making a team save on a dangerous Emma Bocanegra shot that was cleared off the goal line.
Page anchored the offensive rhythm for the Fords, rattling off a pair of shots with just around 20 minutes left in regulation. Friedrich saved a shot from Katie Sullivan in the 79th, but the Blue Jays were finally able to break through the stout Haverford defense in the final moments of action, with Sullivan threading a perfectly placed through ball to Jackson, setting up a one-on-one attempt for the Blue Jays attack that allowed the visitors to find the back of the net, returning to Baltimore with three points.
Friedrich made six saves on the afternoon, while Page, Saito, and Liv McMillian each put a shot attempt on frame for Haverford.
The Fords now return to action with a midweek non-conference trip to Hoboken, N.J. to battle with the Stevens Ducks. Start time for the Wednesday night contest is 7:30 p.m.