Haverford Women’s Soccer made the Centennial Conference Playoffs for the first time since 2019 after going 11-6-2 overall and 5-3-2 in conference play. Their season ended in the first round of playoffs, falling 1-0 to Franklin & Marshall in the third minute of overtime.
“I wish that we had gone farther than we did. It was a pretty devastating way to lose in overtime,” Captain Grace Haskell ’25 told the Bi-College News. Nevertheless, Haskell is proud of the team’s efforts in the playoffs and across the season.
The team’s motto this season was ‘All In,’ according to Haskell, fellow senior and captain Sarah Klink, and junior Olivia Daulerio. After several years of barely missing the playoffs, the whole team — and particularly the upperclassmen — were motivated to play better, more consistent soccer.
“We were definitely playing with a chip on our shoulder,” Haskell said.
The Fords started the season strong, going 6-2-0 in non-conference play. They tied their first conference game against Franklin & Marshall, and then won three in a row. The team played well throughout the season, going 5-3-2 in conference and never losing more than two games in a row.
“We had a lot of amazing games. Probably one of my favorite games was when we played [Franklin & Marshall]. It was a tie, but we came back three times… That was our first conference game of the season and I think that game immediately showed us, okay, we can play. We’re right in it with the top teams in the league and not just like ‘if we hope hard enough we’ll beat them this time,’” Haskell said.
“Another good [game] was when we beat Dickinson three to two. That was another team last year we lost to, 3-2 or 4-2. So it was really exciting to be competitive again against some good teams,” Klink added.
The Fords tried to focus on the positive, taking lessons even from losses.
“Even when we played [Johns Hopkins] we were up against them,” said Daulerio. “Since I’ve been here we’ve never gone up against them.”
“We fought every game until the end. That was my big takeaway from the season, our fight and drive and the fact that everyone was all in.”
The Fords’ 2-1 Senior Day loss against Johns Hopkins was marked by a goal by Haskell just over one minute into the game. Haskell shared the team lead in goals, with 6 this season. She was rewarded for her strong play with a spot on the All-Centennial Conference Second Team.
When asked about her own personal accomplishments, Haskell said, “I don’t think about them as separate from the team at all. A lot of the goals I scored this year were one-time finishes from an incredible cross or an amazing pass, so I wouldn’t have been in that position without other teammates and the work they did to get me there.”
Daulerio, who also shared the team lead in goals and was named an All-Centennial Conference Honorable Mention, explained, “There wasn’t any selfishness or things like that. We all had assists to each other. It was just good chemistry, no one dominating over it.”
As a junior, Daulerio will be one of the most experienced players next year, and wants to be a “leader that makes the team connected.” And of course, she hopes to return to the playoffs.
“We’re a team that deserves to be there. I think ideally that’s the mindset I hope they continue to bring to next season and the season after that,” Haskell said.
Added Klink, “The future for Haverford Women’s Soccer is definitely bright.”
