HAVERFORD, Pa. - In the opening game of today's Women's Soccer Kickoff Tournament hosted by Haverford College, the host Fords and the Knights played to a 1-1 draw but it would be the Knights earning the decision following an 11-round shootout to advanced into Sunday afternoon's Kickoff championship game.
Knotted at 1-1 following a pair of scoreless overtime periods, the Fords (0-0-1) and Knights (1-0-1) stepped to the midline while their goalkeepers settled in near the goal.
One by one both teams' shooters, with Arcadia taking the first crack, found the back of the net in the first three rounds of the shootout before each goalie, Robin Chernow for Haverfod and Veronica Wilig for Arcadia, made a stop in round four.
Each round five shooter was off the mark adding to the tension but the next five shooters ignored the pressure by converting their penalty kick opportunities. Arcadia's 11th shooter netted her shot but, finally, Haverford's luck ran out with a shot that caromed harmlessly off the left post to send the Knights into the 1 p.m. championship game Sunday against Wilkes University, 1-0 winners in Saturday's second game. The Fords will take on Rutgers-Camden Sunday in a 3:30 p.m. consolation contest.
Saturday's goals in regulation time came in the initial four minutes of the contest. First year Anastassia Stratton (Lancaster, PA/Conestoga) headed in a rebound off her initial shot which was saved by Chernow to open the scoring for Arcadia but Sarah Andrade took a crossing pass from the feet of Meg Boyer less than two minutes later for Haverford's equalizer.
Chernow finished with four saves in her first collegiage game. Sophomore Jackie Law (Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains Fanwood) started in goal and played up until the shootout for Arcadia registering six saves.
