SWARTHMORE, Pa. - The Haverford College women's soccer team (7-4-5, 3-3-4 CC) withstood a late charge from Swarthmore (12-4-1, 6-3-1 CC), a team receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches poll, to earn a crucial Hood Trophy point with a 2-1 victory at Clothier Field on Saturday afternoon. The evenly-matched contest saw the Garnet hold a slight 11-10 edge in shots while corners were even at 3-3. Fouls were also even at 7-7 while each team made five saves.

Haverford wasted absolutely no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring in just the fifth minute of action on its first shot of the contest. A pair that has teamed up many times this year was responsible for opening the scoring yet again as Celia Page sent a perfectly placed ball into a charging Liv McMillan, who finished her fifth goal of the season for the 1-0 lead. Page was credited with her third assist of the season.

With the lead in hand, Haverford then fended off some early attacks from the Garnet, with Kim Kockenmeister rattling off a trio of shots that were dealt with by Claire Cywes. Abi Baker and Sarah Klink also put shots on frame in an offensive-minded first half. A final flurry before the halftime buzzer saw Grace Haskell and Sadie Kim miss wide with their shot attempts.

In the 74th minute of action, the Fords doubled their lead as Sarah Klink drifted a shot from well outside the box into the back of the net, with the floater giving the Fords some breathing room down the stretch. Haverford needed that cushion right away, with Kockenmeister pulling one back for the visitors in the 76th minute off an assist from Amelia Mounts. 

In the 88th minute, a crucial penalty was called in the box as Swarthmore was awarded a penalty kick with a chance to tie the game. Kockenmeister lined up for the attempt, which was saved and caught by a diving attempt from Cywes, denying the equalizer. Cywes, who recorded her fifth save with the impressive stoppage, corralled the attempt and was able to punt the ball out of danger as the heroic save had lifted the Fords to the cusp of victory.

In fact, the attempt was the last shot for either side as Haverford did well to deny the Garnet in the waning moments of action to come away with the momentous win. Klink added two shots on goal, matching Page in that category. On the Garnet side, Kockenmeister had seven of the hosts' 11 shots on the afternoon. 

Haverford has now won two consecutive matchups with the Garnet after also taking a 1-0 overtime penalty kick victory a season ago on Walton Field.