LANCASTER, Pa. - The No. 28 Haverford College women's squash team (0-2) was defeated by Penn Cup hosts No. 21 Franklin & Marshall (1-0) on Saturday morning at the Mayser Center, falling by an 8-1 final score to the Diplomats as early-season tournament action continued.

Haverford grabbed its lone match victory at the ninth flight, with Maya Johnson-Fraidin taking a decisive win over Sara Ghorashi, allowing just 12 points to her opponent in a 11-4, 11-7, 11-1 triumph.  In the exhibition at No. 10, Clarice Xu got some great collegiate experience against a tough opponent in a commanding three-game win over Kylie Ioughney, prevailing by final scores of 12-10, 11-5, 11-4. 

Elsewhere, Aman Hamdard put up a strong fight at the eighth flight, as she challenged Iman Jaikishan. Kaikishan took the sweep, but not before Hamdard rallied for nine points in the first frame and seven in the third (11-9, 11-4, 11-7). Emilia Zegers also looked poised against Gabby Ramos, putting Ramos on the brink at 11-9 in the first game (11-9, 11-2, 11-6). Lyvia Yan deftly battled Zarine Gidwaney at the fifth flight, recording a strong second game in the loss (11-4, 11-7, 11-3). 

With a pair of matchups against formidable Penn Cup foes now in their pockets, Haverford now returns to action next Saturday, as the Fords travel to Poughkeepsie, N.Y. for matchups with No. 29 Connecticut College (1 p.m.) and host No. 30 Vassar (3 p.m.). 

Haverford will still have another shot against Franklin & Marshall during the final week of the regular season, as the two squads will match up in the Centennial Conference Round Robin back in Lancaster on February 11.