Fords edged by #11 York in home opener

Fords edged by #11 York in home opener

HAVERFORD, Pa. - An upset bid by the Haverford College women's lacrosse team came up just short as 11th-ranked York (Pa.) College escaped Swan Field with an 11-9 victory in the Fords' home opener on Saturday afternoon.

Haverford (1-1) and the Spartans (2-0) traded goals twice over the opening 18 minutes of action before York scored four of the final five first-half goals.

Trailing by three (6-3) at the break, the hosts moved within two on Hannah Morgan's second of the day with 25-plus minutes remaining in the contest.

York responded with four of the next six goals to open up a 10-6 advantage but the young Fords dug deep and pulled within two (10-8) on back-to-back goals by sophomore Elyse Adler and freshman Courtney Carter.

The Spartans extended their lead to three on a goal by Jocelyn Hudson with three minutes to go in the game but sophomore Christina Gould answered right back to account for the final score. Unfortunately, time ran out on the Haverford rally and York, an NCAA Sweet 16 participant last season, remained unbeaten on the year.

Gould tallied two goals and an assist to lead the Haverford attack. Morgan, Carter and junior Diana Perry also finished with two goals apiece. Adler accounted for the remaining goal to go along with her team-leading third assist of the season.

Freshman Sarina Manetta was active in the midfield with four ground balls and two caused turnovers.

Making her second career start, sophomore goalie Megan Chenworth (0-1) registered several tough saves in the loss.

York senior Erica Mulford, the reigning Capital Athletic Conference offensive player of the week, paced the Spartans with a game-high five goals while classmate Ashley Smith (2-0) made seven saves to earn the win in net.

The Fords' challenging non-conference slate continues on Wednesday when they welcome 19th-ranked Stevenson University to Swan Field for a 7 p.m. contest. The Mustangs (0-3) won a school-record 16 games in 2013.