EDITOR'S NOTE:
Due to Covid-19, the Inter-Academic League decided to host a postseason tournament for their spring sports which included softball, baseball, boys and girls lacrosse, boys tennis, boys and girls track and field and girls golf.
Seeding for the the Inter-Ac boys' lacrosse tournament was determined by their coaches and listed below:
By: Gracie Cleveland
Photos: Mike Nance
MALVERN, PA--On Saturday, May 22, the Malvern Prep Friars hosted The Haverford School Fords for a scorching hot Inter-Ac tournament finale.
Not only was the weather at a high, but the Friars heated up the score board early and never looked back concluding with a 14-5 victory.
The tournament which took place during the week of May 17 and concluded five days later was a postseason series designed to advance the Inter-Ac season.
The rivalry and athleticism between both squads were evident and served at its peak during the championship game.
The Friars (19-2) cut the coast clear of a loss within the first quarter of the game. Senior player and Maryland commit, Eric Spanos, kicked off the six-goal roll for the Friars with a jagged corner goal against Chuck Cacciutti in net for the Fords (12-6). Within two-minute intervals, Tucker Milhous, AJ Nikolic, Colin McGill and Spanos completed goals for a gap of a lead against the Fords. With a sparing eight seconds on the score board for the first, senior co-captain Geordy Holmes knocked one down for the Fords to get them going.
The second quarter's offensive antagonism by the Friars carried over with some come-back attempts by the Fords. After a few minutes of movement and repositioning after the overload of a first quarter, McGill found way for his second goal of the game against the Fords. With raised tension, Quintin Campbell followed his lead with a goal for the Fords to keep the game at a five-point difference of 7-2. Will Peden pushed right back just 13 seconds later to end the scoring of the second with a 6-point lead for the Friars.
Malvern Prep vs. Haverford School Inter-Ac Tournament Championship Highlights by Gracie Cleveland
The Fords pushed for any outlet of a closer score but fell short due to a combination of offensive attacks from the Friars and unstoppable goaltending by Chris O’Grady defending the net for Malvern Prep. In the mix of the third quarter, both teams succeeded for a two-point push to make the 10-4 heading into the final quarter.
Haverford did not let one commotion of fans or a gap in score overpower their will or tear their courage. Goals in the fourth period by Peden and McGill, created a new score of 13-4. With just under five minutes left in the tournament championship, Holmes ripped one more in for the Fords to end the game at 14-5. The dedication and full participation among every athlete in the contest felt recognized.
“It’s actually been like two years for this crew, so building up for a game like this, I’m really proud of them," said Friars head coach, John McEvoy.
Malvern senior and Univ. North Carolina commit Cooper Frankenheimer forced 2 turnovers during the game. (video/gracie Cleveland)
Malvern Prep
Eric Spanos 2g, Colin McGill 4g, 1a, Will Peden 3g, 2a, AJ Nikolic 3g, 1a, Tucker Milhous 2g, Nick Potemski 3a, Lucca DiBartolomeo 1a, 1gb, Jake Brownley 1a, 2gbs, Justin Turley 5/10 face offs,
Dylan Almonte 2/3 faceoffs, Pup Buono 3/8 faceoffs, Cooper Frankenheimer 2 forced turnovers
Chris O’Grady 6 saves
Joseph Doherty 3 saves
Haverford School
Geordy Holmes 3g, Wills Burt 1g, Ryan DiRocco 1g, 1a
Chuck Cacciutti 16 saves
