Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/1/26
From Press Release
The theme of the year for the Haverford College women’s lacrosse team has been getting it done when it counts, often with a flair for the dramatic that keeps the home crowd on the edge of its seat.
The Centennial Conference Semifinals were no exception, as No. 23 Haverford (13-5) delivered a thrilling 14-13 overtime victory over fourth-seeded Swarthmore (13-5), marking a second consecutive overtime win Friday at Swan Field for the Scarlet and Black as the program reached its first Centennial Conference title game in program history.
With the victory, Haverford advances to host Franklin & Marshall on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Swan Field.
Bella Gattuso (Tower Hill) scored a game-high seven goals, matching her career high, including the game-winner with 40 seconds remaining in overtime to lift Haverford past its rival. The senior attacker capitalized on a player-up opportunity following a green card against Swarthmore’s Claire Long to seal the victory.
Kylie McNamara (Lenape-NJ) added three goals, while Mikelle Smith contributed two goals and a game-best seven draw controls. Daniela Martini dished out three assists, including the helper on the overtime winner—her 101st career assist, pushing her past the century mark. Brooke Epstein tallied three points (one goal, two assists), tying Liz Ames for second all-time in program history with 279 career points. Swarthmore was paced by four goals apiece from Annabel Stifler and Kate Fox (Strath Haven), while Aubree Daugherty recorded five assists.
The contest featured momentum swings throughout. After Smith opened the scoring, Swarthmore responded with a surge to take a 6-4 lead at the end of the first quarter and extended that advantage to 8-4 early in the second. Haverford answered emphatically with a 7-2 run to close the half. Gattuso sparked the rally with consecutive goals, and McNamara’s strike with 2:22 remaining gave the Fords an 11-10 lead at the break.
Swarthmore regained the edge in the third quarter, as Stifler and Fox helped the Garnet build a 13-12 lead heading into the final period. The Haverford defense clamped down from there, holding Swarthmore scoreless for the entire fourth quarter. Gattuso found the equalizer with 9:58 remaining in regulation, setting up a tense, defensive finish as Lewis and Brooke Carrier traded key saves.
In overtime, both teams had chances before Haverford broke through. After a caused turnover by Alexis Brown, her third of the contest, gave the Fords possession late in the extra frame, an offsides call on Swarthmore created a player-up opportunity. Smith’s initial shot was saved, but Epstein secured the ground ball to extend the possession. The ball eventually worked its way to Martini, who found Gattuso for the decisive finish, igniting a raucous celebration in front of the home crowd.
Haverford controlled possession throughout the game, dominating the draw circle with a 21-8 advantage and outshooting Swarthmore 35-22. Shaina Lewis made seven saves to earn the win in goal, while Brooke Carrier recorded 12 stops for Swarthmore.
