HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College women's lacrosse team (12-5) secured its spot in the 2023 Centennial Conference semifinals with a 16-11 victory over Muhlenberg (11-6) in the CC Opening Round contest Wednesday afternoon at Swan Field.
Seniors Sam Silverman and Katharine Ference each added hat-tricks in the contest, with Silverman adding three assists and Ference grabbing two. Ference had 11 draw controls, her season-best and the most since setting the program record with 12 a season ago in the CC tournament semifinals. First-year Brooke Epstein continued a torrid charge in the latter half of the season, with three goals and an assist. Tiffany Mikulis was held in check a bit more than is typical, but she deftly rebounded for two key goals and six draw controls when Haverford needed it most. Lizzie Healy, Lauren Anderson, and Eva Baumann each had multiple caused turnovers.
The Fords had a bit of a sluggish start to the contest, as Muhlenberg looked to be stronger on the draws in the early goings. Taking advantage of possession opportunities early, the visiting Mules jetted out to a 4-0 advantage behind strong play from Nicole Steiner, who tallied a hat-trick in the early run of play, lighting the lamp with 10:08 remaining in the first period to achieve that feat.
It looked like the Fords were about ready to shake off the rust and go on a big run, but Muhlenberg had other plans as they proved to be the stronger team throughout the first period, eventually ending the frame with a 6-2 lead. Silverman added a pair of tallies in the sequence to keep the Fords right within striking distance.
Haverford rattled off two quick goals to open up the second period, with Jacquelyn Jardini and Silverman each tallying to put the Fords back within two. Ference and Epstein added goals off Silverman assists, and the Fords were suddenly in a rhythm, back within one with 9:16 left in the first half. Steiner pulled one back for the Mules, but Haverford ended the half on a 2-0 run, with Epstein and Abby Bonner each finding the back of the cage to knot the score at 8-8 heading to intermission.
The Fords were certainly frustrated by the strong play of Meaghan Haughney, as she logged 17 saves including 11 in that opening half. Out of the halftime gates, the Fords looked to regain some energy, feeding off the playoff crowd at Swan Field as Lia Herzig and Tiffany Mikulis each found the scoreboard. Suddenly, the Fords held a two-goal cushion and the momentum at Swan Field had totally shifted in favor of the hosts. A promising run may have given Haverford some designs on pulling away, but Muhlenberg was right there to respond, with Jillian Kubikowski and Steiner each tallying to send the contest into the final quarter with Haverford up 12-10.
A 3-0 run to begin the final period helped buoy the Fords, as Julia Curran, Mikulis, and Ference keyed the stretch with goals to put Haverford up by a game-best five a 15-10, as it seemed like the Fords suddenly had an opportunity to catch their breath. for the first time. A last-ditch effort from Muhlenberg saw Ava Milia and Emily Gaffney each add goals in the waning moments, but the renewed Haverford midfield presence led to Haverford holding an 16-7 edge in draw controls, flipping the script after the Mules began on a 7-2 edge in the category.
Despite the loss, Steiner had a huge impact on the game for the visitors, with five goals and a ground ball as the Mules put a major scare into the Fords with a nearly flawless first five minutes of game plan.
Annie Bravacos made nine saves, including six in the fourth quarter, to pick up her 10th win of the season, adding five ground balls.
Third-seeded Haverford now advances into a rematch of last season's semifinals, taking on second-seed and No. 10 Franklin & Marshall at 7 p.m. Friday night in Lancaster. This is the fourth total, and third consecutive CC semifinal matchup between the two sides. The Fords are still looking for their first CC championship game appearance.