LANCASTER, Pa. – Consecutive goals from Haverford College's Josie Ferri pulled the Fords' women's lacrosse team within one of seventh-ranked Franklin & Marshall College in early second half action, but the host Diplomats were able to slow down the upset attempt and come away with an 11-6 Centennial Conference victory under rainy skies Saturday afternoon.

Ferri scored the final tally of the opening half to pull Haverford (9-5, 5-2 CC) within three, 5-2, shortly before halftime, then notched two more in the early minutes of second-half play to bring her team within one of the Diplomats (13-2, 7-0).

That one-goal deficit would be as close as Haverford would come, though, as F&M reeled off five unanswered goals in building a 10-4 advantage over the upstart Fords.

Alexa Pesce and Ferri each scored a goal in the final 45 seconds to cut into the margin before F&M, already owning a four-goal lead, would score one last marker with two seconds remaining in the game.

Ferri finished with a game-high four goals to spark the Haverford offense. Both Erin Dunne and Maggie Mae Shields spearheaded the F&M attack with three goals apiece.

Though the Fords finished short on the scoreboard, they were able to limit the Dips' attack to just one free position attempt while piling up four goals from five attempts themselves. Haverford also won the draw control battle taking 11-of-19 opportunities.

The Fords, in third place within the league standings, continue their push toward the conference playoffs Wednesday afternoon when fourth place Ursinus College (6-8, 4-3) visits Swan Field for a 4:30 p.m. contest.