CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Haverford College women's lacrosse team was felled by a late charge from the host Washington College Shorewomen, falling 10-9 in overtime in a Centennial Conference contest on Wednesday evening at Kirby Stadium.
Haverford had a 4-1 advantage at the halftime break and took a 8-4 lead with 16:03 play, but Washington College stormed back to stun the Fords with a game tying strike in the final seconds of action and a free-position conversion in overtime. Haverford is now 5-8 (1-5 CC) on the season while Washington College improves to 9-4 (4-2 CC).
Haverford dominated the tempo and stat line of the first half, scoring three times with the first four minutes of the contest to establish control. Sarina Manetta scored unassisted at the 27:51 and Maeve Gaffney and Allie Gibbons added to the cushion as Molly Lausten and Juiia Manetta picked up assists.
Katherine Vincent eventually scored the first goal of the contest for the Shorewomen, tallying unassisted with 21:29 remaining. Haverford played a stifling defense, rarely allowing Washington a chance at finding shooting space. The Fords defensive pressure allowed goalkeeper Tatiana Lathion to ease into the contest as only five of the Shorewomen's first 14 shots found the frame.
Sarina Manetta scored the final goal of the half, connecting with her sister Julia on a goal with 11:03 left in the first half to put Haverford up 4-1. The Fords ramped up the pressure yet again in the final stanza of the half, with Lathion making four saves in the final 11 minutes of first-half action as Washington College matched the Fords with a renewed urgency.
The offensive floodgates opened for both teams in the second half as Gaffney scored for a 5-1 lead at the 25:28 mark. The Fords then scored two of the next three goals, with Gibbons and Sarina Manetta each scoring for a 7-2 lead.
Washington College scored twice within 19 seconds to cut the lead to just three at 7-4, but Maura Grant restored a four goal lead at 8-4 with 16:03 remaining.
Vincent tallied three times during a 4-0 run that tied the score at 8-8 with 12:22 to play. Nearly six minutes of scoreless game play followed until Sarina Manetta took a feed from Kate Sollee and buried her fourth goal of the contest, putting Haverford up 9-8.
The Fords tried to play a possession game with the one-goal lead, but Haverford had a few scoring chances as Gibbons and Maneta had fruitless shots with just over three minutes to play.
After Manetta's shot went out of bounds, Washington College picked the ball up going the other way, before Emily Pantazes shot wide. Haverford regained possession until Cara Pascarella picked up a caused turnover with 41 seconds remaining. The Shorewomen turned it over one last time, with Cecily Docktor ceding control to Alyssa Sherman.
With 19 seconds remaining, Washington College regained possession for one last-gasp attempt at a shot on frame. With 1.1 seconds left in regulation, Docktor took a feed from Acra and scored on a bounce shot to tie the game at 9-9 heading to overtime.
In the six minute overtime period, Washington College won the opening draw control and brought the ball into its attacking zone. A foul was called on Haverford and a free-position attempt was awarded to the hosts. Docktor converted on the free-position attempt to send Washington College to victory in the early goings of the extra period.
Manetta (4) and Gibbons (2) joined Gaffney (2) as multi-goal scorers for Haverford. Eliza Brosgol had three draw controls. Julia Manetta picked up a team-high three ground balls. Lathion gave a stellar effort in net, making seven saves in 60:23 of work.
Vincent had five goals to pace Washington College. Haylee Solomon made 13 saves for the Shorewomen.
The Fords return to the Delaware Valley for their final three games of the regular season. Haverford travels to Ursinus on Saturday, April 22 before a midweek contest at Bryn Mawr on Wednesday, April 26. The squad then wraps up the regular season at home with Senior Day against Swarthmore.