Full IWLCA Division III Poll Release
HAVERFORD, Pa. – After giving No. 6 Franklin & Marshall a major test on Saturday in Lancaster, the Haverford College women's lacrosse team (6-3, 1-1 CC) remains at No. 23 in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) National Coaches Poll. The Diplomats narrowly edged Haverford, as the Fords mounted a furious second half comeback to tie the score at 17-17 with 1:46 to play before the host Diplomats converted in the final seconds of the contest to escape with an 18-17 win.
The Fords have certainly cemented their spot in the national conversation thanks in part to an offensive attack that has been a total team effort, with multitudes of scoring options and a cohesive approach in the attacking third. The hot start is embodied in Haverford's 105 assists, the second-most in all of Division III. In the latest NCAA statistical release, the Haverford scoring offense ranks ninth in Division III, and the Fords are averaging 17.11 goals per game thus far. Julia Manetta ranks seventh in all of Division III in assists with 35, and also tops the Centennial Conference in the category. Teammate Julia Pascarella is also in the nation's top 25 in assists and assists per game heading into April.
Allie Gibbons is the conference's leading goal scorer, with 41 thus far, a mark that is well within the nation's Top 25. Between the pipes, Amelia Slade's 104 saves are tops in the Centennial and also register within Division III's top 25.
Centennial foe Gettysburg remains the unanimous number one selection for the fourth straight week, while the rest of the Top 10 has been shaken up considerably following the weekend slate of games. Washington & Lee (9-2) remains as the No. 2 team, but Middlebury (7-1) now occupies the third spot, followed by Salisbury (9-2) and Mary Washington (9-2). Tufts (8-0), the only undefeated team within the top 10, moves into the sixth spot, while Franklin & Marshall (7-3), York (Pa.) (6-4), Wesleyan (8-1), and Catholic (7-2) occupy the remainder of the top 10.
Of note, Washington College also moves into the top 25, taking the No. 25 spot after a 7-2 start to its campaign.
Haverford now returns to action on Wednesday evening, hosting Muhlenberg under the lights at Swan Field as Centennial Conference play continues into the final month of regular season action. Opening draw is slated for 7 p.m.