Women's Lacrosse Downs Arcadia in Season Opener, 17-9

Molly Lausten
Molly Lausten

GLENSIDE, Pa. - The Haverford College women's lacrosse team opened its 2018 season with a dominating 17-9 win over host Arcadia on Saturday afternoon at JLW Field in Glenside. The victory is the first career head coaching win for first year head coach Katie Zichelli. The Fords received four goals from senior Molly Lausten while sophomore Paige Walton made seven saves in goal to pick up her first career victory between the pipes.

Haverford began the game on an 8-1 run, with Lausten tallying twice in the span. Lausten triggered a running clock scenario with 12:07 left in the first half, converting a free position shot for a 10-goal lead.

The Fords pushed the lead to as many as 11 in the first half at 13-2 with junior Allie Gibbons converting off an assist from senior Kate Sollee with 9:30 left in the opening half. In the second half, first year Julia Pascarella tallied back-to-back goals at 21:08 and 18:23 to put Haverford up by 13 goals at 16-3. Late in the second, the Knights went on a 6-0 run including a natural hat trick from Allegra Benites, pulling to within seven at 16-9. 

Junior Rina Rosnow converted a free position with 2:39 to play to give Haverford the 17-9 lead that would hold as the final.

The Fords went 14-for-18 in clear attempts and scooped 19 total ground balls. In addition to Lausten's four goals, Rosnow added a hat-trick while Sollee, junior Sarah Svetec and Pascarella tallied twice.

Sophomore Olivia DiRienz tallied five draw controls, scooped three ground balls and added three caused turnovers in an all-around effort. Anna Meyers recorded four draw controls and four ground balls. First year Belle McMahon added three ground balls. Senior Madison Jones had a strong showing on defense, causing two turnovers and collecting two ground balls.

Walton picked up the win in goal, playing 44:25 before ceding responsibilities to senior Rachel Romens who spent 9:47 in net before first year Amelia Slade played the final 5:48 in net for the Fords. 

The Fords continue non-conference action with a tough road test against No. 2 TCNJ on Thursday, March 1. Opening draw in Ewing, N.J. is slated for 7 p.m.