HAVERFORD, Pa.  – The Haverford College women's lacrosse team eyes a return trip to the Centennial Conference tournament in 2014.

The Fords registered their highest Centennial finish (third) in program history last spring on their way to tying the program record for wins (13) and the squad will look to build off that memorable campaign this season.

Aiming for its fourth appearance in the conference tournament in the last five years, Haverford will rely on a veteran defense anchored by seniors Anne Cullen, Rosie Samide and Shannon Horn. Cullen, who has made 40 starts in her career including 18 in her junior season, and Samide will try to make life easier on goalie Horn.

Having made the initial 17 starts of her career in 2013, Horn stands between the pipes with the poise and confidence to be a difference-maker for the Fords in her final season in a Haverford uniform. Horn ranked third in the Centennial in saves (127) and reached double figures in victories (12) in her first year starting between the pipes for the Fords.

Expect juniors Nicole Sockett and Brianna Robbins to also be key contributors on a core defensive unit that has been together for almost three years. Starting every game last season, Sockett finished first on the team in ground balls with 29 while Robbins was second in caused turnovers (18).

Seven different players tallied game-winners in 2013 as the multi-faceted Haverford attack combined to score the fourth-highest goal total in program history (226). Junior Diana Perry and senior Megan Gallagher headline the list of returners on the offensive end.

Authoring one of the finest individual seasons in program history, Perry led the team in points (72), goals (61), draw controls (42) and free position goals (16) in her sophomore year. Earning first-team all-conference recognition and a spot on the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) All-Metro Region Second Team, Perry finished second in the Centennial in goals and her 16 free position goals on the year set a new single-season program record. Perry enters her junior year having scored multiple goals in 20 consecutive contests dating back to her freshman season.

Gallagher will be instrumental in organizing the Haverford attack and offers another viable scoring threat as the senior tallied 36 goals in 15 games in 2013 including two game-winners. Named honorable mention all-conference as a sophomore, Gallagher has scored 72 goals in 48 games in her career. Sophomore Christina Gould (20), junior Hannah Morgan (27) and junior Dayna Kim (14) also reached double figures in goals last season.

Look for sophomore Amanda Fleming to be a factor once again in the midfield as she brings added speed to the lineup. Fleming registered 26 draw controls, 24 ground balls, 10 caused turnovers, five goals and four assists while starting every game of her freshman campaign.

Head coach Lauren Wray expects all of her nine freshmen to contribute at some point during the course of the journey that she hopes will culminate with a spot in the national field. "We want to build upon the success we had last year and compete for the Centennial championship," said Wray. "Our ultimate goal is to get ourselves into the NCAA tournament."

Picked to finish fourth in the conference this season in the preseason poll of the conference coaches, Haverford knows there are no easy games in the Centennial. Franklin & Marshall College and Gettysburg College each begin the season ranked in the top 10 nationally but the Fords feel they also have the talent to be a contender. Coaches from around the country agree as Haverford received votes in the 2014 IWLCA national preseason poll.

"It should be another great year of exciting competition in the Centennial," said Wray. "There are three new head coaches so several teams will have a fresh look as all the squads battle for a spot in the conference tournament."

Wray believes that the team that can come together as the season progresses and maintain poise and confidence will end up coming out on top in the Centennial. The Fords' quest to be that last team standing begins on Tuesday when Haverford opens its non-conference slate at Cabrini College at 4 p.m.