CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Haverford College women's lacrosse team (5-1) opened its spring break stint in dominant fashion on Monday afternoon. Haverford's offense exploded in the second quarter and never looked back, powering past Shenandoah, 16-5, in a convincing non-conference win at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Florida.
Brooke Epstein led all scorers with four goals, including three consecutive strikes spanning the third and fourth quarters off assists from Sophie Jaffe and Daniela Martini. Tiffany Mikulis also delivered a hat trick for the Fords, finding the net three times on seven shots.
Bella Gattuso and Abby Bonner each recorded two-goal performances, while Martini, Kylie Kearon, Naomi Ku, Jacquelyn Jardini, and Kylie McNamara each chipped in a goal. Martini tallied a game-high four assists, while Bonner added a pair.
Mikulis turned in a well-rounded performance with three draw controls and two caused turnovers. Eva Baumann and Finley Jordan each registered three ground balls.
Haverford outshot Shenandoah 28-17, including a 24-15 edge in shots on goal. The Fords' efficiency on clears (19-for-22) and ability to capitalize on their free-position chances helped them pull away from the Hornets.
After a tightly contested first quarter that ended tied at 2-2, Haverford took full control with a seven-goal outburst in the second frame. Bonner jump-started the run with a player-up goal just 55 seconds into the period, assisted by Martini.
Bonner finished with two goals and two assists, including another tally later in the second quarter. Epstein and Gattuso each added a pair of goals in the decisive stretch, with Mikulis converting to send the Fords into halftime up 8-2.
The fourth quarter saw Haverford rattle off three goals to go up by nine, following a Mikulis goal with 8:27 left in regulation. The Fords triggered the running clock with 2:30 to play as Jardini buried a free-position shot before Ku added her first career goal in the closing moments.
Shenandoah (3-2) struggled to generate offense, managing just three goals after the first quarter. The Hornets were held scoreless in the second, as Haverford's defense forced 20 turnovers and controlled possession with a 12-11 advantage on draw controls. Shenandoah's Ayla Jantz and Emily Ransom found the net in the first quarter, briefly giving the Hornets momentum, but they struggled to break through afterward. Jantz later added an assist, while Amy Bell and Jaelyn Hawes provided second-half goals.
Annie Bravacos picked up another win between the pipes, notching 10 saves, while Ella Salvador saw her first career action in goal, playing the final three minutes.
Haverford now looks to extend its strong start as it continues its Florida trip with another tough test ahead. The Fords will face No. 23 Messiah at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 12, in Clearwater.