ANNVILLE, Pa. — The No. 20 Haverford College women's lacrosse team (3-1) earned a decisive 13-4 victory over Lebanon Valley (2-3) on Wednesday afternoon at Arnold Field. The Scarlet and Black built momentum early with four first-quarter goals and seized full control with a dominant 5-0 second quarter to pull away from the Dutchmen.
Kylie McNamara paced the offense with a career-high five goals, including the game-winner. Brooke Epstein added four goals and two assists while collecting a game-high five draw controls. Daniela Martini dished out two assists, Sophie Jaffe contributed a goal and an assist, and Mikelle Smith and Louisa Coughlin each found the back of the net. Defensively, Kiri Jensen caused a career-high three turnovers, while Lauren Anderson scooped up a career-best seven ground balls. In goal, Ella Salvador secured the win with three saves, and Shaina Lewis added a late stop in relief.
Lebanon Valley was led by Molly Whisler, who scored twice on four shots, and Elizabeth Morgan, who finished with two goals and an assist. Kyla Hebert recorded two assists. In net, Gigi Ditsky made seven saves while facing 27 shots.
The Dutchmen opened the scoring at 11:16 of the first quarter on a goal from Whisler, assisted by Hebert. Haverford answered quickly as Smith scored at 9:43. After Whisler struck again, the Fords responded with Coughlin's tally off an assist from Epstein at 6:27. Epstein then converted on a player-up opportunity before McNamara added another at 2:51 to give the Scarlet and Black a 4-2 lead after one. Strong draw control work late in the quarter helped maintain possession and fuel the early surge.
Haverford broke the game open in the second quarter, outscoring Lebanon Valley 5-0. McNamara scored three times in the period, including her 12th goal of the season at 3:05. Jaffe added a goal, and Epstein capped the run with a strike off a feed from Jaffe at 1:55. Despite a Dutchmen timeout midway through the frame, the Fords continued to capitalize on turnovers and control the draw circle, carrying a commanding 9-2 lead into halftime.
Both teams traded goals in the third quarter. Morgan scored at 12:44 for Lebanon Valley before McNamara responded at 10:05 for her fifth goal of the contest. Defensive pressure highlighted the period, with Jensen causing two key turnovers as the Scarlet and Black maintained a 10-3 advantage heading into the final quarter.
Lebanon Valley added a man-up goal from Morgan, assisted by Hebert, at 12:55 of the fourth. Haverford answered immediately, as Epstein scored back-to-back goals off assists from Martini at 12:02 and 11:13. Kalli Mullen later extended the lead to 13-4 with a goal at 7:58, assisted by Bella Gattuso. The defense closed the door from there, including a late save by Lewis, as the Fords secured the nine-goal victory.
Next up, the Scarlet and Black return home to host Stockton on Saturday, March 7, at Swan Field. Opening draw is scheduled for noon.
