HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's lacrosse team was selected to finish fourth in the annual Centennial Conference preseason coaches' poll released today. The Fords received 52 voting points from coaches within the conference, tying them with Dickinson for the fourth-most. Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team.
Washington College was voted just ahead of Haverford with 59 points. Rounding out the top two were pre-season favorite Franklin & Marshall (79) and Gettysburg (75), who both finished the regular season with an 8-1 conference record in 2015. Behind the Fords were Ursinus (37), Muhlenberg (36), McDaniel (34), Swarthmore (27), and Bryn Mawr (9).
The Fords finished 8-8 in the 2014 season in sixth place and then improved to 11-8 in the 2015 season before falling to Gettysburg in the Centennial Conference semifinal. Last year's regular season was highlighted by a win over then-No. 4 Gettysburg in double overtime on Swan Field.
Megan Chenworth is among the Fords' key returnees for the upcoming season. Chenworth, a senior goalie, was named to the second-team All-Centennial Conference last season after finishing fourth in the conference in total saves. Junior Sarina Manetta had 21 goals along with a team-high 48 ground balls in 2015. The honorable mention All-CC player also tied for the team lead with 25 caused turnovers and was second in draw controls (23).
The Fords' 2016 season begins Saturday, Feb. 27 at Scranton. The scheduled start time is 1 p.m.