Through the early part of the year, Eastern University Field Hockey proved to be very effective in earning results in close, low-scoring games. Today, however, they were unable to pull out a win as the visiting Haverford College Fords socred in each half for a 2-1 win.
Haverford (7-4) controlled much of the play early and opened the scoring on a powerful dribbling move and low shot from Alex Waleko in the 14th minute of action. The senior forward finished with both the Fords' goals. After the goal, Haverford continued to control much of the action, but the #8 Eagles began to carve out bits and pieces of possession and were able to move into the offensive zone on occasion.
They made one of those occasions count as Brittany Moyer chased down a pass on the wing. When her first attempt at a cross failed, the action in the circle came to an awkward halt. Moyer recovered her balance and fired a cross that hit Kim Campbell on the stick. Eastern's senior forward left no doubt as she banged in a shot from right in front of the cage.
Haverford held a 7-1 edge in first-half corners, and they fired 13 shots to Eastern's 4, but the game went to the intermission tied at 1-1. Eastern attacked with fury to start the second half, but the Ford's fought off a penalty corner and Yvonne Herbster's drive went just wide and the score remained knotted until Haverford took advantage of a transition moment to take the lead.
A Ford midfielder picked up a short clear in the midfield and blasted a ball from outside the circle toward the cage. Eastern goalie Laura Ressler turned the shot away, but Waleko met the ball on the doorstep and buried her 15th of the year to put the visitors up a goal.
The Eagles applied pressure for the remainder of the game, but Haverford's Maggie Cronin was up to the task. She made seven of her ten saves in the second half. Cronin was not the only hero for the guests. Twelve minutes into the second half, Herbster placed a shot around the Haverford keeper, but Bridget Gibbons sprawled on the line to turn away the shot.
"Their sticks were outstanding today," Eastern Head Coach Camrin Azzarano said of the visitors' effort, "They were the better team today. We had our chances, but they were the team that executed."
In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, today's contest was a 'play for the cure' event. Proceeds from concessions and a bake sale will be given to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
The Eagles (11-2, 2-0 Freedom) return to Freedom Conference action Saturday morning when they host DeSales for a Homecoming game.
