HAVERFORD, Pa. - The Haverford College women's lacrosse team battled back from an early deficit against No. 7 Franklin & Marshall College on Saturday afternoon at Swan Field in Centennial Conference action but the Fords couldn't withstand a second-half surge by the Diplomats and fell, 18-5.

The Fords (5-9, 3-4 CC) found themselves in an early hole as Franklin & Marshall (12-2, 7-0) struck for four goals in the opening 13 minutes of the contest. Megan Gallagher's successful free position shot at 14:53 was followed by Josie Ferri's unassisted tally four minutes later to help Haverford slice the deficit to two.

The two squads traded goals over the next four and a half minutes as Ferri's 25th of the season made the score 5-3 with 5:45 left in the opening stanza.

The Dips struck once more before half to open up a three-goal advantage at intermission.

Looking to hand F&M its first conference loss of the season, the Fords went to work in the second half but could not slow down the Diplomats' offense. Registering three goals in the first four minutes of play, Franklin & Marshall pushed out to a 9-3 lead.

Diana Perry, converting an Alexa Pesce feed, quieted the Dips' surge with her 22nd of the season at the 23:58 mark but F&M closed out the scoring with nine of the last 10 goals of the contest. Alexis Bond scored the lone Haverford tally in that stretch.

Leah Hammerschlag (5-9) made seven saves in the loss.

Erin Dunne paced the Diplomats with five goals and one assist. Kelsey Hoffman (12-2) picked up the win in goal.

The Fords take on Ursinus College on Wednesday night in their final road contest of the season. Game time is 7 p.m.