Women's Lacrosse Nicked at No. 24 Washington College, 13-12

Julia Pascarella
Julia Pascarella

CHESTERTOWN, Md. – In a battle under the lights on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Haverford College women's lacrosse team (6-7, 1-5 CC) was edged by host No. 24 Washington College (11-3, 6-0 CC) on Wednesday evening, falling by a final of 13-12 in a tense, back-and-forth affair, in what has been customary in the matchups between the two programs. Sophomore Julia Pascarella finished with three goals to pace the Fords, while sophomore Hailey Morris, senior Allie Gibbons, and junior Eliza Brosgol each netted two goals. Junior Julia Manetta finished with four assists.

Haverford jetted out to an early 4-1 lead, as the Haverford offense took advantage of early yellow cards to key Washington College defenders. Morris opened the scoring at even strength just over three minutes into the contest before seniors Gibbons and Sarah Svetec tallied man-up goals to give Haverford a two-goal cushion. Brosgol then added an unassisted strike to put the Fords up 4-1 with 18:21 to play.

The Shorewomen tallied four of the next five goals, tying the score at 5-5 with Kristy Grovom's goal on a man-up opportunity.  The two squads traded scores from that point before the Fords began to find a rhythm in the final moments of the half. Manetta and Gibbons teamed up for a signature goal with 2:05 to play, and Manetta dumped one into the waiting stick of Maeve Gaffney, who converted with 54 seconds left in the half.

Out of the halftime gates, Washington College scored the first three goals of the period to take a 10-9 lead. Manetta responded, as she found the back of the net with an unassisted strike that came with 18:53 left in regulation, tying the score at 10-10. Grovom scored on a free-position attempt with 17:42 to go, but Pascarella again had an answer for the Fords, putting one past Isabella Richardson to again knot the contest at 11-11.

Aubrey Robinson and Caitlin Donovan scored as Washington College took its first multi-goal lead of the contest with 11:08 to play. Morris capped the scoring for the Fords with just over six minutes left, tallying an unassisted goal to pull the Fords back within one. Washington College called for timeout following the strike, and Richardson came up big with saves on shot attempts from Gaffney and Gibbons in the closing moments of the contest. 

Gibbons had a fantastic attempt on a potential equalizer, as the Centennial's leading goal scorer had just Richardson to beat. The Washington goalkeeper made a stellar save, and the hosts regained possession with 2:35 to play. Haverford got the ball back with 1:16 to go, but a failed clear and turnover gave Washington College the ball back with the possession clock turned off, allowing the hosts to wind the game clock out and escape with a one-goal victory.

Sophomore Amelia Slade made eight saves in her 60 minutes of action in goal. Gaffney had a career-high four ground balls and two caused turnovers to pace the Haverford effort while Pascarella and Brosgol each added three ground balls. Olivia DiRienz had five draw controls for Haverford. 

Cecily Docktor netted three goals and two assists, while adding eight draw controls for Washington College. Meghan Dean had five ground balls for the Shorewomen. Three different Washington College players added multiple caused turnovers while Richardson made 12 saves in goal. 

Haverford now returns to action at Ursinus (3-10, 2-4 CC) on Saturday afternoon. Opening draw in Collegeville is slated for noon.