HAVERFORD, Pa. – The Swarthmore College women's lacrosse team gave No. 23 Haverford College all it could handle in their Centennial Conference semifinal game on Friday, but the Fords ultimately came away with a 14-13 overtime victory to advance to the conference title game.
The fourth-seeded Garnet put forth a valiant effort against the tournament's top seed, jumping out to an 8-4 lead in the second quarter. However, Haverford fought back with a 7-2 run to go ahead 11-10 at halftime. Both teams locked down on defense in the second half, combining for just five goals. Swarthmore was in front 13-12 in the fourth but the Fords scored at the 9:58 mark and the teams went to overtime. Haverford netted the game-winner with 40 seconds left in the extra session.
Seniors
Aubree Daugherty (five assists),
Annabel Stifler (four goals), and
Carly Rodrigues-Reilly (three goals) led the way in what may have been the final contest in a Swarthmore uniform for the trio. All three are in the top-six this year in points for the Garnet with Stifler pacing the squad in goals (63) and points (67). Daugherty's 65 career assists is tied for fifth on the program's all-time list. Defensively, senior
Amanda Morris tallied a team-high three caused turnovers.
Kate Fox contributed with four goals and one assist while
Claire Long added two goals and one assist.
Brooke Carrier totaled 12 saves, making multiple key stops down the stretch to force the game to overtime.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The teams went back and forth throughout the opening quarter and the Fords held a 4-3 edge with 5:29 remaining in the first. Swarthmore then scored five unanswered to go ahead 8-4 with 12:14 to go in the second. Fox beat the goalkeeper twice with Long, Rodrigues-Reilly, and Stifler each netting one goal.
- Haverford bounced back with five of the next six to even the score at nine with 5:29 on the clock. After a goal by Rodrigues-Reilly, the Fords closed the half with back-to-back markers to lead 11-10 at the break.
- The Garnet outscored Haverford 3-1 in the third quarter on goals by Long, Fox, and Stifler to take a one-goal cushion (13-12) into the fourth. The Fords potted the equalizer with 9:58 remaining in regulation. Both sides had chances for the go-ahead goal down the stretch but the goalkeepers combined for five saves to keep the score tied. Haverford had the last opportunity with under 10 seconds to play but Carrier came up with the stop to send the contest into overtime.
- The Fords won the opening draw of the extra session but Morris forced a turnover for Swarthmore. Daugherty and
Kela Watts countered with shots at the other end, but the Haverford goalie stood tall. The Fords looked to clear but
Zoe Crawford recorded another caused turnover and came up with the ground ball for the Garnet. However, the Fords got the ball back and Swarthmore was issued a green card, putting the Garnet a woman down. Carrier registered another big save but Haverford picked up the ground ball and converted its next shot for the game-winner.
GARNET LEADERS
Points: Daugherty, Fox 5
Goals: Stifler, Fox 4
Assists: Daugherty 5
Ground Balls: Carrier 7
Caused Turnovers: Morris 3
Draw Controls: Stifler 4
Saves: Carrier 12
UP NEXT
Swarthmore (13-5) will hope to grab an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament with the selections being announced on Monday.
