EWING, N.J. - The Haverford College women's lacrosse team (1-1) saw its second-half comeback effort fall just short at No. 12 TCNJ, as the Lions were able to defend home turf with a 13-11 victory that came amid below freezing temperatures and an occasional snow shower. Belle McMahon had a game-high four goals for Haverford, while also recording a pair of caused turnovers.
The first half was a bit of a defensive battle, as TCNJ rattled off two goals after more than 10 minutes of scoreless action to begin proceedings. Alex Fitzpatrick and Kasey Donoghue both tallied for the hosts in those early goings, but Julia Pascarella quickly put a goal in off a free-position to limit the Lions run. Belle McMahon scored with 9:44 left in the half to cut the lead to 3-2, and Haverford was within one following McMahon's second goal of the half with just 3:43 to play. TCNJ put two goals on the scoreboard in the final 3:10 of the half to take a 6-3 advantage in the intermission.
Despite facing a three goal deficit, the Fords were more than up to the challenge in the second half as the Haverford offense rattled off six unanswered goals in the first 10 minutes of the second stanza. Julia Manetta tallied three assists in the ferocious stretch, as Pascarella, Hailey Morris, McMahon, Olivia DiRienz, and Katharine Ference all found the back of the net for Haverford. Morris put the exclamation point on the run with her second tally of the day, putting Haverford up by three at 9-6 with 20:50 to go in regulation.
TCNJ did not go away, quickly pulling back to within one with a pair of goals over a three-minute span. McMahon added her sixth of the season with 12:39 to go, restoring a two-point cushion for the Fords, but the Lions then went on a 4-0 scoring run of their own, taking a 12-10 lead with 6:41 remaining. Morris tightened things up yet again with a free-position that came with 5:53 showing on the clock, but Veronika O'Donnell responded with a goal that came with 2:21 left to put TCNJ back up two at 13-11.
Haverford once again looked extremely strong defensively, with 15 caused turnovers and 27 ground balls on the afternoon. Senior captains Anna Meyers and Emily Krupnick each had three caused turnovers to pace the effort while nine different Fords tallied multiple ground balls. TCNJ saw its largest advantage on the draw, as the Lions held an 18-8 edge over Haverford in that column. Shots were evenly matched as TCNJ fired just one more attempt than the Fords to hold a 31-30 edge.
Amelia Slade and Sarah Cahn each saw time in goal yet again, with Slade getting the opening 30 minutes before Cahn took over at halftime. Slade made seven saves while Cahn added three. Alexa Natalicchio picked up the win for the hosts, making 10 saves in her 60 minutes of action.
Haverford will now return to Swan Field for a Wednesday afternoon contest against visiting Albright. The game is slated to begin at 4 p.m.