HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Haverford College women's lacrosse team has earned a national ranking for the first time in the 2025 season, coming in at No. 23 in the latest Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Association (IWLCA) poll release.
The poll features 25 teams, with rankings determined by college coaches nationwide based on weekly performances. The IWLCA releases new rankings each Monday throughout the season.
Haverford's rise in the rankings follows back-to-back wins over ranked opponents, including a thrilling 8-7 overtime victory against No. 22 Christopher Newport at home on Saturday. The Fords also went 2-0 during their spring break trip to Clearwater, Florida, defeating Shenandoah in dominant fashion, 16-5, before securing a 16-10 win over then-No. 23 Messiah on March 12.
Individually, Brooke Epstein ranks 19th nationally in goals (27) and 21st in Division III for points (21). Annie Bravacos sits 32nd in total saves (55), while the team boasts the nation's ninth-best clearing percentage (90.3%).
Haverford is off to its best start since the 2018 season. Middlebury, Tufts, and Franklin & Marshall hold steady as the nation's top three teams, with Gettysburg and Colby rounding out the top five entering the third full week of March.
The Fords now charge into another key matchup, this time against No. 16 Amherst at home on Swan Field Wednesday afternoon. The contest is slated to begin at 4 p.m.