After achieving their best start in five years, the Haverford College women’s soccer team (11-5-2, 5-3-2) has secured a playoff spot, clinching their position with a decisive 4-0 victory over Bi-Co rival Bryn Mawr (4-9-3, 0-8-1) last Wednesday. Their 1-1 draw against Swarthmore (8-3-6, 5-2-3) this past Saturday solidified their place as the sixth and final seed in the Centennial Conference playoffs. Now, they’re set to face off against the third-seeded Franklin & Marshall (8-4-6, 6-1-3) in the first round.
Haverford has been a staple in the Centennial Conference playoff picture throughout the season. Forwards Olivia D’Aulerio ’26, Grace Haskell ’25, and midfielder Phoebe Garfield ’25 lead the team with six goals apiece, tying them for sixth among Centennial Conference leaders. D’Aulerio, a standout multi-sport athlete at Haverford, made an early impact with four goals in the Fords’ first five games. The Fords’ offense has been their calling card, as they rank second in the Centennial Conference in both goals and assists (35 and 28, respectively), trailing only No. 18-ranked Johns Hopkins. Their offensive efficiency has also been strong, highlighted by 266 total shots this season, with nearly 50 percent (132) on target, placing them fourth in the Centennial Conference.
Goalie Lily Buyer ’26 has also anchored the team defensively, ranking in the top 10 across every major statistical category, including goals against average, saves, shutouts, and saves per game. A hallmark of the Fords’ success has been scoring a lot and scoring fast, as they hold an impressive 8-0-1 record when netting two or more goals and are 8-2-1 when scoring a goal in the first half.
The sole tie when scoring two or more goals and when scoring in the first half came against none other than Franklin & Marshall. In their Centennial Conference opener on Walton Field, the Fords battled the Diplomats to a thrilling 3-3 tie, with the game swinging back and forth as neither team scored consecutive goals. Like Haverford, Franklin & Marshall has held steady in the playoff picture all season. Dahlia Pepe ’25 has been a key offensive force for the Diplomats, leading the team with six goals, while Zoe Warne ’26 has been pivotal in setting up plays, tying for fourth in the conference with five assists.
Though Franklin & Marshall’s statistical output doesn’t match Haverford’s, they’ve achieved some notable wins this season. Most impressively, they defeated top-seeded Johns Hopkins 1-0 on the road and managed key results against strong opponents, including victories over Washington College and ties with McDaniel (RV) and Swarthmore. Haverford has struggled against these teams, scoring only two goals across these four matchups combined and failing to win any of those games.
The Fords will face Franklin & Marshall this Tuesday at Tylus Field in Lancaster, PA, bringing a 4-2-1 road record into the Centennial Conference Quarterfinal and looking to advance to their first Centennial Conference playoff semifinal since 2019. Haverford aims to regain its winning form away from Walton Field, having lost and tied their last two road games after winning four consecutive away matches.
Meanwhile, the Diplomats have been a formidable force at home, boasting a 5-2-2 record. Their defense has been solid, conceding only five of their 16 goals at home while outscoring opponents 18-5.
On the other hand, the Fords have found it challenging to replicate their scoring prowess on the road, netting just nine goals in seven away games and averaging 10.3 shots per game—well below their season average of 14.7. Expect Haverford to adopt a more aggressive approach early in this critical playoff matchup as they look to set the tone.
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