CSA Divisional Championships Central
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - The 29th-ranked Haverford College Women's Squash team (5-13) notched a split day at the CSA Divisional Team Championships on Friday, losing the opening Walker Cup match to No. 28 Hamilton 8-1. However, the Fords bounced back with a resounding 9-0 victory over No. 32 Bard later in the day inside the Arlen Specter U.S. Squash Center.
No. 28 Hamilton 8, No. 29 Haverford 1
Hamilton secured sweeps at the first five flights. Eliana Good defeated Ariana Solecki (11-3, 11-3, 11-5) in the top flight, Eleanor Bailey overcame Catherine Fortin (11-6, 11-7, 11-5) in flight two, and despite a fierce battle in the first game between Emi Krishnamurthy and Zoe Reinert, the latter prevailed (11-8, 11-7, 11-5) in flight three.
Flight four witnessed Lily Spencer turning away Zoe Liu (11-3, 11-6, 11-7), while Brooke Spencer Hoffman stifled Maya Johnson-Fraidin (11-9, 11-6, 11-4) in flight five.
The most contentious battle of the day occurred in flight six, where Matilda Chartener faced Chloe Lance in a 40-minute clash. Chartener won game one 13-11 in extra points, dropped game two 11-7, rallied back to win game three 11-8, but eventually lost the fourth game 13-11. Lance claimed victory in the fifth and deciding game (11-13, 11-7, 8-11, 13-11, 11-4).
Chiara Nadel swept Amy Saxon (11-9, 11-4, 11-8) in flight seven, and Lily Matthews earned Haverford's point of the day at flight eight, sweeping Lamia Karabegovic (11-9, 11-4, 11-8).
Kathryn Swords dispelled Sarah Kotapka in the ninth flight (11-2, 11-3, 11-2), and Cecilia Miliaras pushed past Nayera Hasan (11-0, 11-3, 11-2) in an exhibition match.
No. 29 Haverford 9, No. 32 Bard 0
After a noon match, the Fords had to wait until 6:30 p.m. for a matchup against Liberty League foe Bard. Haverford wasted no time, posting a convincing victory with sweeps at all nine flights.
The action began with matches at the first, fourth, and eighth flights. Lily Matthews picked up where she left off, blanking Zohra Helali in just 14 minutes (11-0, 11-0, 11-0). At the top flight, Ariana Solecki defeated Jacinta Creel in an 11-2, 11-4, 11-1 decision. Zoe Liu allowed just six total points in an 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 blanking of Thelma Williams.
The next round of matches at the second and sixth flights saw Catherine Fortin taking down Thenuri DeSilva (11-0, 11-1, 11-1) in 11 minutes and Matilda Chartener powering past Nicole Meselsohn in just 10 minutes (11-2, 11-1, 11-2).
The last round featured Emi Krishnamurthy, Maya Johnson-Fraidin, and Amy Saxon making quick work of their Raptor opposition. Krishnamurthy allowed just five total points in an 11-2, 11-1, 11-1 sweep of Meherin Hossain at the third flight. Johnson-Fraidin took down Mona Haidari (11-1, 11-4, 11-5), and Saxon surrendered just three points to Aqela Nussrat (11-1, 11-2, 11-0).
Haverford received a win by default at the ninth flight, reflecting the 9-0 final.
Haverford now returns to action in Saturday's Walker Cup consolation bracket final against No. 31 Vassar. The two sides have met twice this season, with each side posting a victory. Haverford was the most recent winner in the series, jumping out to a 9-0 win at the GIAC Squash Courts last month. Action will begin at 3:30 p.m. at the Specter Center.