CHESTERTOWN, Md. – In a crazy, back-and-forth game the Haverford College women's lacrosse team pulled out a 10-9 overtime victory over host Washington College Wednesday evening in Centennial Conference play. Alex Pesce fed Jen Schmidt for the game-winner 2:14 into overtime.
After surrendering an early lead the Fords scored three unanswered goals in just over a two-minute span late in regulation to take the lead, 9-8, before Washington (5-4, 1-3 CC) scored with 21 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime.
Haverford (10-1, 3-1 CC) was whistled for 25 fouls and penalized with five yellow cards compared to just 11 fouls and no cards for the Shorewomen. Despite the difference, the Fords did not surrender a man-down goal all game.
Josie Ferri, Kayleigh Herrick-Reynolds, Perrin Downing and Schmidt all scored two goals for the Fords. Pesce and Nora Proops scored one goal apiece and Pesce added a pair of assists.
Sam Ohrem, Sarah Cannon and Rachel Bartee all tallied two goals each for Washington.
The Fords established a three-goal advantage 11 minutes into the contest on goals from Downing, Herrick-Reynolds and Pesce. The Shorewomen scored two goals in-a-row then the teams exchanged scores before the end of the first half to set the score at 4-3.
Herrick-Reynolds scored the first goal of the second half, but Washington went on to tally three-straight goals for a 6-5 lead with 21:41 left. Downing tied the score on an unassisted goal, but Washington netted the next two goals to go ahead, 8-6.
As the game approached the 10-minute mark the Fords embarked on their three-goal spurt. Pesce hit Schmidt for the first goal. Ferri tied the score at 8-8 with 8:42 remaining and Proops scored the go-ahead goal on an assist from Ferri 56 seconds later.
Washington missed on three shots attempts as time was ticking down, but the Fords were called for a foul with 25 seconds left. Sarah Cannon's free position goal with 21 seconds showing tied the score, sending the game to overtime.
Haverford won the draw control to start overtime and held the ball for over two minutes until Schmidt found the back of the net. The Shorewomen won the ensuing draw control and attempted two shots which were blocked. Krisitin Sockett scooped up a ground ball off a Washington turnover and the Fords cleared with 34 seconds to ice the victory.
Leah Hammerschlag stopped 10 shots, playing all 66 minutes in the cage to pick up the win for Haverford. Amber Madore suffered the loss, making six saves in 61:04.
The victory is the 10th of the season for HC and marks the first time since 1990-91 that Haverford has had back-to-back 10-win seasons.
The Fords face a tough task Saturday when they host No. 7 Gettysburg College at 3 p.m.
