Hobbled Shea’s save helps Strath Haven preserve tie with Haverford

NETHER PROVIDENCE — As Maggie Forbes checked on goalkeeper Laura Shea in overtime Wednesday, she had to stifle a laugh. Not that there was much funny about the freshman rolling her ankle, or that Forbes was playing on a sprained ankle, or that backup goalie Andie Galante was sitting on the bench icing her leg after a second-half knock.

It’s just the way things have gone for Strath Haven, and Forbes could see the humor in it.

“It’s literally comical,” Forbes said, after Shea hopped around to cover the last few minutes of a 3-3 draw with Haverford. “Last year, we didn’t have too many seniors. We thought we’d be the same team back. And a couple of practices in, a couple of injuries, and we’re a completely different team than last year. We have five freshmen starting who weren’t there last year. It’s crazy.”

Shea is one, preserving the win with an outstanding one-handed save of a Rachel Yocom shot that appeared ticketed for the bottom corner two minutes into the second extra session. So is Alex Zweier, who scored the equalizing goal with 2:06 left in regulation.

As if a season altered by the COVID-19 pandemic wasn’t enough, the Panthers have endured a rash of injuries. Starting with a torn ACL last spring for Julia Steere, who scored in the Panthers’ states game last fall as a freshman, to a second major knee injury to All-Delco defender Dahlia Kuzemka in preseason, it’s been an ordeal. Injuries kept senior backline anchor Grace Samaha and forward Gianna Zweier out Tuesday. Sophomore midfielder Lily Ostiguy spent most of the second half out with a leg issue. So the Panthers fielded as many as six seniors at a time.

The alternative, however, to playing hurt is much worse to Forbes.

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