Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/9/26
From Press Release
The Haverford College women’s lacrosse team (14-6) secured its second NCAA Tournament win in program history with an emphatic 19-9 victory over Endicott (15-5) today at Bello Field on the campus of Tufts University. The Fords used a 10-2 advantage in the second half to pull away from the Gulls, triggering running clock in the final seconds of the NCAA First Round contest.
Haverford will face off with the host No. 4 Tufts Jumbos (14-3) Sunday at 1 p.m. as the Fords look to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
While today’s game, contested on a chilly and drizzly Massachusetts afternoon, began as a back-and-forth battle with the score tied 4-4 after the first quarter, the Fords exploded in the second half to power past the Gulls and clinch their spot in the next round.
The afternoon belonged to senior Brooke Epstein, who cemented her legacy as one of the greatest to ever play for the program. Epstein led all scorers with a season-best seven points on six goals and one assist.
Her performance was punctuated by a successful free-position goal in the third quarter l to collect her 285th career point, officially moving her past Lindsey Carey Bean ’00 to become Haverford’s all-time career points leader. By the final whistle, Epstein pushed the new record to 289 points.
Epstein now sits at 216 career goals, just one shy of Carey Bean’s record of 217 as she will look to add the goals record to her illustrious career tomorrow.
Haverford’s dominance was fueled by a significant advantage in draw controls, winning that battle 20-9, led by Epstein’s game and season high of 10. This possession advantage allowed the Fords to pepper the Endicott goal with 38 shots compared to the Gulls’ 21.
Bella Gattuso (Tower Hill-DE), Sophie Jaffe, and Mikelle Smith (Moorestown Friends) each provided a balanced attack with four goals apiece. Daniela Martini and Louisa Coughlin acted as vital playmakers, each recording three assists.
Finley Jordan (3 caused turnovers) and Smith (two) helped disrupt the Endicott attack, as the Gulls struggled to get consistent looks on frame. Lilly Provost was a standout with two ground balls, a caused turnover and a draw control.
For Endicott, Mia Smith led the effort with a team-high five points on three goals and two assists, while Leah Black contributed four points. In the cage, Haverford’s Shaina Lewis went the distance, recording seven saves to earn the win. Endicott utilized both Severine Michel, who made five saves, and Emma Budke, who added one. Haverford’s clinical execution on clears, going 18-of-21, and their ability to capitalize on free-position opportunities ultimately overwhelmed the Endicott defense.
The teams were tied 4-4 after the opening quarter and Endicott twice held one-goal leads in the second, including a 6-5 advantage following Mia Smith’s third goal of the game with 9:44 remaining before halftime. Haverford answered with a 4-1 run to close the half as Jaffe scored twice and Epstein added a pair of goals, giving the Fords a 9-7 lead at the break.
The Fords extended their advantage in the third quarter behind consecutive goals from Epstein, Gattuso, and Smith, building a 13-8 cushion entering the fourth
Endicott briefly cut into the deficit on a man-up tally from Emerson Clark early in the final period, but Haverford responded with five of the game’s final six goals to put the contest away with a stout defensive effort and
Martini sparked the surge with an unassisted goal before Gattuso scored twice in the final six minutes and Epstein added a man-down goal during a late Haverford penalty kill.
Women’s Lacrosse will now face off with the host No. 4 Tufts Jumbos (14-3) on Saturday in NCAA Second Round action from Bello Field. Opening draw is once again slated for 1 p.m. as the Fords look to punch their ticket to the Sweet 16 for the first time in program history.
