The Haverford College Field Hockey team has secured a spot in playoffs for the first time in program history. The Black Squirrels had to win both of their matches this week in order to get where they are now, and they came through. The Fords pulled off a 7-1 victory over Swat, with Bridget Gibbons ’13 scoring two goals within fourteen seconds of each other. 

 

Saturday’s game against McDaniel was a spectacular show of ability and emotion as each team’s postseason hopes were on the line. McDaniel managed to score early in the game, but one point on the scoreboard was nothing for the Fords to fear. Juliana Morgan-Trostle ’12 responded quickly, and just minutes later the Black Squirrels and the Green Terror were tied.

 

The Fords refused to end the first half in a tie. Josie Ferri ’12 scored goal number two for the Black Squirrels, assisted by Mary Hobbs ’13. The score remained 2-1 until there were about five minutes left on the clock. The Fords quickly learned that their sixth in-conference win was going to be a hard-earned one as McDaniel tied the game 2-2. 

 

The Black Squirrels regrouped in the last five minutes to try and avoid overtime, which could lead to penalty strokes. Finally, with just two minutes left in the game, an unassisted shot by Hobbs found the back of the net. Victory was just moments away. The team held onto the one-point lead for the remainder of the game, then fled to the middle of the field to celebrate the historic match. 

 

Coach Colleen Fink responded to the win by stating, “Making the playoffs for the first time in program history is very rewarding for this team. They work extremely hard on and off the field and have made a commitment to improving every year and achieving success…we are very much looking forward to hosting our first playoff game on Wednesday [Nov. 4 on Swan Field] and hope a lot of the student body shows up to support the team.”