By: Alex McGinley
HAVERFORD, PA – After a slow first quarter, Episcopal Academy used an offensive onslaught to defeat The Haverford School 12-5 Tuesday afternoon at Sabol Field.
The Churchmen were down 3-1 at the end of the first quarter. From there, the Churchmen only surrendered two more goals and netted 11 goals in the last three quarters to defeat the Fords.
“The slow start, I mean we weren’t really being together as a team at first and then we got it together,” said junior goalkeeper Nash Womack. “Our offense started to get moving and we started playing the net. Our defense played great the whole game.”
The game was tied 4-4 until the final seconds of the first half when the Churchmen netted a pair of goals from senior midfielder Reilly Dugan and junior FOGO Andrew McMeekin to take a 6-4 lead into halftime. After Dugan scored with 14 seconds left in the half, McMeekin won a face-off and took it to the net himself. From that point on, the Churchmen did not relinquish that lead.
“Anytime you get one early in a possession or late in a possession, it gives yourself some energy,” said Episcopal Academy coach Chris Bates. “I give our guys a ton of credit. They were so focused all day and played a full game, so those plays I think are indicative of how they played every minute of the game.”
In the second half, the Churchmen’s offensive momentum continued, adding six more goals in the last 24 minutes of the game.
Dugan, who is a Villanova recruit, led the Churchmen with four goals. McMeekin and senior attackman Max Strid added two goals each. McMeekin, who is a Princeton recruit, also won 13 out of his 19 faceoffs. Both of McMeekin’s goals came from winning faceoffs. McMeekin scored his second goal in the opening possession of the second half.
Episcopal Academy vs. Haverford School Game Highlights by Alex McGinley
“I mean we kinda just relied on each other,” said Dugan. “We got punched in the mouth, but we just decided to come together and fight, no matter what the outcome was and it ended up being great.”
The Churchmen’s defense was just as dominant, only allowing one goal in the second half. The Fords finally got on the board in the second half with 2:41 left in the game, scoring their first goal since the second quarter.
“The defense was amazing,” said Womack, who made 10 saves in the victory. “They played great in front of me today. Couldn’t wish for a better defense out there.”
Post Game Interview with Episcopal Academy's Reilly Dugan:
Post Game Interview with Episcopal Academy Goalie Nash Womack
Next, the Churchmen will host Springside Chestnut Hill Academy on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. The Fords will host Germantown Academy on Friday at 4:00 p.m. Episcopal Academy and Haverford will meet again on May 14.
Coach Bates said his team needs to build on Tuesday’s victory ahead of the rematch.
“We just have to build on it,” said Coach Bates. “Like we said, that’s a good team. We’re gonna see that team again in a couple weeks, so this time of year it’s a matter of continuing to improve. Individually and our units can get better for sure.”