HAVERFORD, Pa.—Needing a win on Saturday to claim the fifth and final playoff spot, Swarthmore College Women's Lacrosse came up just short, falling to Haverford College in a thrilling game on the road, 9-8.

Swarthmore led by one with nine minutes to go, but Haverford caught the Garnet with 4:51 remaining and overtook them with just 13 seconds to go.

Swarthmore conceded the first goal, but soon had a 3-1 lead following two goals from Kathryn Restrepo and a goal from Mackenzie Frost assisted by Restrepo.

Haverford tied the score up at 3-3, but Frost put Swarthmore ahead 4-3 with 15:38 left in the first half. Frost finished with four goals on the day.

Swarthmore and Haverford traded goals and senior Elizabeth Wainwright scored with just 22 seconds left in the half to put Swarthmore up one, 6-5, going into the break. The goal-trading continued into the second half with Swarthmore re-taking the lead after Haverford refused to go away.

But after Haverford caught the Garnet with 4:51 to go, Swarthmore couldn't come up with an answer. Haverford earned a free-position attempt with just 15 seconds left and then promptly scored the game winner.

In goal for Swarthmore, Madison Kline finished with eight saves. Tess Wild led Swarthmore with four draw controls.

Swarthmore finished the season with an 11-5 record and a 4-5 mark in the Centennial Conference. Swarthmore has improved in overall wins and conference wins in each of the past four years.