GALLOWAY, N.J. – The Haverford College women's lacrosse team(2-0) remained undefeated with a 12-7 victory over Stockton (2-1) on Saturday afternoon at Stockton Turf Field. The Fords built an early lead and maintained control throughout, using a balanced offensive attack and a strong defensive performance to secure the win on the road.
Haverford wasted no time setting the tone, scoring four unanswered goals in the opening moments of action. Tiffany Mikulis put the Fords on the board first at 14:07 off an assist from Louisa Coughlin. Bella Gattuso followed less than a minute later, and Sophie Jaffe and Daniela Martini added goals to extend the lead to 4-0 just over 5 minutes into the contest.
Stockton responded with three goals of its own, but Ellie Hughes scored late in the first quarter to give Haverford a 5-3 advantage heading into teh second quarter.
The Fords' attack continued to click in the second quarter, outscoring Stockton 4-2 in the period. Mikulis struck again early in the frame, this time assisted by Abby Bonner. Brooke Epstein, who finished with a hat trick and an assist, found the back of the net twice, while Hughes added another goal to push Haverford's lead to 9-5 at halftime.
The defense stepped up in the third quarter, holding Stockton scoreless while forcing six Ospreys turnovers. Epstein completed her hat trick at 5:07, finishing a pass from Martini, and Kylie McNamara later added her first goal of the game less than a minute later off another assist from Bonner. Haverford entered the final quarter with a commanding 11-5 lead.
Stockton managed two goals in the fourth, but Gattuso's second goal of the game, assisted by Bonner, put the game out of reach.
The Fords outshot the Ospreys 26-17 and won the draw control battle 15-8, with Epstein leading the way with eight draw controls, continuing her blazing hot start to the season after setting the program record in the category during Haverford's opener.
Mikulis contributed two goals and three ground balls, while Hughes also finished with two goals and an assist. Martini tallied a goal and two assists, and Jaffe added a goal and an assist. Bonner played the role of facilitator, dishing out three assists.
Senior Annie Bravacos recorded four saves to earn her second win of the season between the pipes. Haverford's defensive unit was key in the victory, causing 12 turnovers and allowing only one Stockton shot in the third quarter.
The Fords will next return to action on Wednesday, February 28 as women's lacrosse makes the quick jaunt over to Chester, Pa. to take on Delaware County rival Widener at 5 p.m.