HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's lacrosse team outscored No. 11 Tufts University in the second half, but fell by an 11-10 score Wednesday at Swan Field. Haverford pulled within a goal with less than 12 minutes to go, but could not get any closer.
The Fords received three goals apiece from Kayleigh Herrick-Reynolds and Perrin Downing while Josie Ferri, Alexa Pesce, Megan Gallagher and Grace Stockbower all had one goal. Haverford (4-3) was highly efficient in free position attempts, scoring on 7-of-8 opportunities including three from Herrick-Reynolds and two from Downing.
Haverford struck first as Ferri's pass found Pesce on the left-side of the net less than two-and-a-half minutes into the first half. Tufts (2-2) responded with three consecutive goals in less than three minutes. Herrick-Reynolds halted the Jumbos scoring streak with a free position goal at the 22:41 mark.
After Lara Kozin put Tufts back up by two, 4-2, Downing netted a pair of free position goals just two minutes apart to tie the score up at 4-4. The teams exchanged goals over the next four minutes, and then Stephanie Perez netted two goals with under five minutes to go that put the Jumbos in front, 7-5. The final 15 seconds of the half were a whirlwind. Downing scored on an assist from Herrick-Reynolds to cut the deficit to one, but Tufts won the ensuing draw control and Kelly Hyland scored before time expired.
Herrick-Reynolds tallied her second goal early in the second half, but Perez and Gabby Horner added goals for a 10-7 lead. Haverford outscored the Jumbos, 3-1, in the final 21 minutes, but could not muster any offense after Herrick-Reynolds brought HC within one, 11-10, with 11:44 to play. Tufts held to the Fords to just one shot down the stretch.
Leah Hammerschlag came up with seven saves for Haverford including five in the second half which helped keep the Fords in the game until the end. Sarah Bloom did not make a save for the Jumbos and was relieved by Tess Shapanka for the final 20 minutes. Shapanka made one save.
Perez finished the day with three goals for the Jumbos while Horner and Hyland had two each.
Haverford returns to Centennial Conference play Saturday, hosting McDaniel College at noon.