RADNOR, Pa. – The Haverford College women's lacrosse team was defeated by the host Cabrini University Cavaliers on Wednesday afternoon, 12-11, at Edith Robb Dixon Field. Haverford fell behind 8-2 early in the second half, but rallied for nine of the next 10 goals to pull ahead 11-9 before Cabrini scored the final two of regulation to tie the score at 11-11. Cabrini tallied first in the sudden victory overtime to escape with a home win. Haverford falls to 4-3 on the season while Cabrini improves its record to 5-2.
Sarina Manetta tallied twice in the opening 30 minutes of action, scoring a pair of unassisted goals for the Fords. Manetta gave Haverford the initial score in the contest, at the 21:23 mark of the first half, and then gave Haverford a 2-1 lead with 17:19 remaining in the half.
The second goal came off a Cabrini turnover, as the Fords were able to turn the mistake into offense on the other end of the field.
Cabrini next scored seven unanswered goals before the Fords were able to stop the run at the 22:58 mark of the second half. Olivia DiRienz scored off a free position attempt, putting her third goal of the season in the back of the net, cutting the Cabrini lead to 8-3 and forcing a Cavaliers timeout.
Under a minute later, DiRienz converted from the free position spot again, tightening up the contest further and lighting up the Haverford bench as Haverford trailed just 8-4.
Maeve Gaffney tallied from the free position spot to make it just an 8-5 Cabrini lead at 21:47 remaining. Cabrini responded with a goal from Sasha Wozniak, off a pass from Jackie Neary, to restore a four goal lead at 9-5. The margin would be short lived, however, as Allie Gibbons added her 22nd and 23rd goals of the season, scoring her second of the game to tighten the lead to just 9-7 with a solo run down the middle of the field after a Haverford draw control.
The teams were held scoreless for the next five minutes of action until Manetta buried her third of the game on a free position strike. Gaffney converted her second free position shot of the half to complete the comeback, as the Fords tied the score at 9-9 after trailing 8-2 just 12 minutes earlier.
Gibbons scored off a pass from Julia Manetta for the first lead of the contest for the Fords since the 2-1 advantage. Gaffney added her third free position shot of the game for an 11-9 Haverford lead with just over five minutes left to play in regulation.
Haverford called for timeout with 3:37 left after regaining possession after failed Cavaliers clear. Haverford turned it over and Cabrini was awarded a man-up opportunity with a yellow card issued to the Fords. Cabrini scored with the extra attacker to cut the lead to 11-10 Haverford. Cabrini then tallied with 2:43 left to play as Avery Murphy won a draw control and scored to tie the contest.
In overtime, Cabrini picked up the first shot attempt of the period as Jackie Neary saw her attempt saved by Rachel Romens. After a ground ball pickup from Avery Murphy, Murphy was able to convert for her 20th goal of the season to seal the win.
Murphy finished with six goals for the Cavaliers. Gaffney, Sarina Manetta and Gibbons had 3 goals each for Haverford while DiRienz added a pair. Claire Cote caused three turnovers and scooped up five ground balls while Sarina Manetta also picked up five ground balls in the contest.
Rachel Romens matched a carer high with nine saves and picked up a career best ground balls in her 61:27 of action.
Haverford has concluded the non-conference portion of its schedule and will open up Centennial Conference play on Saturday, March 25 against McDaniel. Opening draw is slated for 12 p.m. on Swan Field.