FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Haverford College women's lacrosse team defeated No. 23 Messiah 16-10 in a non-conference contest Tuesday afternoon at Joe DiMaggio Sports Complex in Clearwater, Florida. Haverford's 6-1 start is the best to a season since the 2018 squad began 7-1.
Brooke Epstein tallied four goals, while Tiffany Mikulis and Ellie Hughes each added three. Kylie McNamara contributed two. Epstein also notched three assists for a seven-point day and controlled six draws. Mikulis and Finley Jordan led the Fords with a pair of caused turnovers, while Annie Bravacos made 10 saves between the pipes to pick up the victory.
Haverford (6-1) started strong, taking an early lead and maintaining offensive pressure throughout the game. The team's balanced attack and consistent scoring proved too much for the Falcons to overcome.
Tiffany Mikulis scored the game's first goal for Haverford, assisted by Sophie Jaffe. Brooke Epstein followed with another Haverford goal, assisted by Mikulis, to give Haverford an early 2-0 lead. After a goal by Messiah, Jaffe scored an unassisted goal, and Bella Gattuso, assisted by Epstein, made it 4-1 in favor of the Fords. Messiah scored once more in the frame, but Haverford led 4-2 at the end of the first period.
In the second period, Haverford extended its lead to a commanding 9-2 before a late run from Messiah. McNamara scored early, assisted by Abby Bonner. Hughes, assisted by Epstein, made it 6-2. Mikulis and Hughes each scored again in succession, pushing Haverford's lead to 8-2. Epstein scored a free-position tally to give Haverford a 9-2 lead. Messiah managed two goals to close the gap, but Haverford led 9-4 at halftime.
Haverford continued its offensive momentum in the third period. Daniela Martini scored to make it 10-4 at the 11:55 mark. Mikulis added another goal for an 11-4 lead. Messiah mounted a comeback, scoring three consecutive goals, as Grace Pettitt lit the lamp with 2:22 to play to close the Haverford advantage to just four. Undaunted, Epstein scored her fourth goal of the game, helping Haverford maintain a 12-7 lead entering the final period.
The Fords secured the victory in a back-and-forth fourth period. Epstein scored an early player-up goal for a 13-7 lead. After a Messiah goal, Jacquelyn Jardini took a feed from Epstein and buried it, and McNamara later scored to give Haverford a 15-8 lead.
Messiah scored twice more to make things a bit more interesting down the stretch, closing the gap back to within five, but Haverford's Naomi Ku took a feed from Jardini and scored a player-up goal in the final minute, sealing the 16-10 win.
Haverford demonstrated strength on the draws, winning 15 to Messiah's 13 in a well-rounded effort. Haverford also outshot Messiah 32-22 and scooped 15 ground balls to 14 for Messiah. Haverford frustrated the Falcons on the defensive end all game long, as Messiah converted just 10-of-18 clears on the afternoon.
The Fords now return home for a contest against No. 22 Christopher Newport on Saturday, March 15, at Swan Field. The opening draw is slated for 12 p.m. as the Fords open up a stretch of three of their next four contests at home.
