SALISBURY, Md., — The St. Mary’s College of Maryland women’s lacrosse team ended its 2025 season with an 18-10 loss to No. 19 Haverford College in the first round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Lacrosse Championship Tournament on Saturday, May 10. The Seahawks, finishing with a 10-8 record, struggled to overcome a 12-3 halftime deficit against the 15-5 Fords.
Haverford surged to a 3-0 lead in the first quarter before senior captain Hailey Betch scored St. Mary’s first goal at 2:14, assisted by junior defender Carsyn Smith. The Fords responded with a 7-0 run, led by Brooke Epstein’s four goals, to build a 10-1 advantage by the second quarter. Betch added two quick goals in 50 seconds, narrowing the gap to 10-3, but Haverford scored twice more before halftime, leading 12-3.
The Seahawks showed resilience in the third quarter, outscoring Haverford 2-1 early and later stringing together three consecutive goals, including two from senior captain Colin Horton, to cut the deficit to 15-8. However, the Fords closed with a 3-2 run in the final 11:15, securing the eight-goal victory.
Betch and Horton led St. Mary’s with three goals each. Horton also contributed four draw controls. Ella Baynes added two goals and an assist, while Katelin Scala recorded a goal and two assists, plus four draw controls. Defensively, Smith collected four ground balls and caused a turnover, and sophomore Claire Boudreau caused three turnovers with two draw controls. Senior goalkeeper Isabel Gautreaux made six saves and caused two turnovers in 45 minutes, while sophomore Allie Greeley had three saves in the fourth quarter.
Haverford’s Epstein dominated with five goals, and goalkeeper Annie Bravacos stopped five shots, ending St. Mary’s six-game win streak. The Fords outshot the Seahawks 35-18, led 21-15 in ground balls, and held a 16-15 edge in draw controls. They forced 20 turnovers compared to St. Mary’s 11 and cleared 24-of-27 attempts, while the Seahawks cleared 14-of-23. St. Mary’s went 4-for-4 on free-position shots, while Haverford converted 8-of-11.
The game, hosted in Salisbury, marked the end of a competitive season for St. Mary’s, which had built momentum with a strong finish to the regular season. The Seahawks’ offensive leaders, Betch and Horton, showcased their scoring prowess, while Baynes and Scala provided critical support. The defense, anchored by Smith and Boudreau, fought to disrupt Haverford’s rhythm, but the Fords’ early lead proved insurmountable.
Haverford’s efficient offense and defensive pressure capitalized on St. Mary’s 17 turnovers, a key factor in the outcome. The Fords’ +6 turnover margin and high clearing percentage allowed them to maintain control, particularly in the first half. Epstein’s performance, backed by Bravacos’ saves, underscored Haverford’s depth and preparation.
The loss concludes St. Mary’s 2025 campaign, which saw the team achieve a 10-8 record and earn an NCAA tournament berth. The Seahawks’ seniors, including Betch, Horton, and Gautreaux, leave a legacy of leadership, with Betch’s clutch scoring and Horton’s versatility standing out in the final game. The team’s underclassmen, such as Smith, Boudreau, and Greeley, signal a promising future.
