Haverford foils Episcopal's title bid

This season marked the first time since 2008 that Haverford School didn't win at least a share of the Inter-Ac League boys' lacrosse title, but the Fords were happy to play spoiler against a top rival hoping to earn its first title in 15 years.

Behind a seven-goal fourth quarter, Haverford won, 11-6, Friday at Episcopal Academy in the teams' Inter-Ac regular-season finales.

Episcopal could have clinched a share of its first league title since 1998. But the loss gave Malvern Prep sole possession of the Inter-Ac title for the first time since 2008.

The Churchmen led entering the fourth quarter, but were outscored by 7-1 in the final period.

"It's devastating," Episcopal coach Andrew Hayes said. "I feel terrible for my seniors. They worked extremely hard all season."

Haverford won behind two freshmen - one who led the team in scoring and another who was making his first career start.

Freshman midfielder Brendan O'Neill scored three goals for the Fords, including the winner. Freshman goalie Alex DeMarco got the nod in place of senior Jake Landman and made 10 saves.

DeMarco said he found out he would start only a day before the biggest game of his high school career thus far.

"It was nerve-racking," DeMarco said. "Without my teammates' support, I wouldn't have been able to do it."

Haverford scored the first three goals of the game and led, 3-2, at halftime. The Fords more than doubled the Churchmen's shot total, 19-9, in the first half, and DeMarco made five first-half saves.

Episcopal used a three-goal third quarter to take a one-goal advantage into the fourth, but from there, it was all Haverford.

Five Fords scored in the fourth quarter, including O'Neill, whose goal with 6 minutes, 23 seconds remaining put Haverford School up for good.

O'Neill said it "felt great" to keep Episcopal another year removed from a league title. He said the Fords aren't done yet, though.

The Churchmen "are definitely our biggest rivals," O'Neill said. "But we'd love to beat Malvern in the [postseason]."

Haverford School 2 1 1 7 - 11

Episcopal Academy 0 2 3 1 - 6

Goals: HS-Dox Aitken, Grant Ament 2, Timmy Brooks, Gavin McBride 2, Brendan O'Neill 3, Drew Supinski 2; EA-Dutch Buckley 2, Tyler Chambers, Peter Gayhardt, Trupert Ortlieb, Ian Strain.

Saves: HS-Alex DeMarco 10; EA-Colin Reder 11.