Haverford School falls in Inter-Ac Challenge lacrosse final
Culver Academy goaltender Matt Schmidt was pinned deep in his own zone with a Haverford School defender closing quickly when he launched the ball up for grabs in the third quarter of the Inter-Ac Challenge championship Sunday at Villanova.
Culver Academy goaltender Matt Schmidt was pinned deep in his own zone with a Haverford School defender closing quickly when he launched the ball up for grabs in the third quarter of the Inter-Ac Challenge championship Sunday at Villanova.
When it finally returned from orbit, the ball bounced off a Haverford School defender's stick and right to Culver's Brodie Gillespie, who flipped it to Wheaton Jackoboice, who scored the final Culver goal in its thrilling, 8-7 victory against the Fords.
"It was huge," Schmidt said of the goal, which was scored with 8 minutes, 38 seconds left in the third. "Getting a couple goals in the third quarter to solidify the lead helped build our confidence. It was pretty lucky, but at the same time, we got the ball and got it in the net."
After Haverford School (20-5) frantically netted four fourth-quarter goals, the play's importance became more significant.
Jackoboice, Alex Simmons, and Ethan Walker led the No. 1-seeded Eagles (20-3) with two goals apiece. Schmidt, a Notre Dame recruit, finished with five saves.
With the second-seeded Fords trailing, 8-3, to start the fourth, a Forry Smith goal started the rally with 8:53 remaining. Tommy McNamara followed 58 seconds later and then netted his third goal with 2:53 left.
Culver, a military academy in Indiana, seized first-half momentum, thanks in part to Haverford School faceoff penalties and sloppy passing that led to a 6-3 halftime deficit for the Fords.
"In the fourth quarter, we played with more urgency," said Haverford School coach John Nostrant. "It was just one of those games where the flow wasn't in our favor . . . but we had some chances at the end, and that's all you can ask for."
Keyveat Postell got the defending champion Fords within 8-7 with 17 seconds left. Joel Trucksess won the ensuing faceoff, which led to Smith's firing just wide on a difficult-angle shot about 10 yards from goal.
Schmidt procured the final loose ball and fired it downfield.
Culver Academy 4 2 2 0 - 8
Haverford School 2 1 0 4 - 7
CA: Wheaton Jackoboice 2, Alex Simmons 2, Ethan Walker 2, Ryan Prior, Brett Handsor.
HS: Tommy McNamara 3, Dox Aitken, Forry Smith, Keyveat Postell, Peter Garno
Saves: CA - Matt Schmidt 5; HS - Alex Demarco 7.
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