MALVERN, PA- Charles Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities” begins with a chilling line that describes war-torn France.
“It was the best of times . . . it was the worst of times.”
When they awakened Wednesday morning, the lacrosse players that comprise the rosters on both Haverford School and Malvern can completely relate to the 19th-century British author’s summary.
Within seconds, social media undoubtedly thundered with news that senior Tommy McNamara scored the game’s tying and winning goals – the former with 57.5 seconds remaining in regulation and the latter with only 3.7 seconds left – to lift Haverford School to a stunning 10-9 victory at Malvern Prep.
It wasn’t so much that the Fords won; it was the way they won.
Haverford's Tommy McNamara ties game, 9-9
“We tried to take it goal by goal,” said McNamara. “You can only score one at a time.”
Heading into the fourth period, it appeared a longshot that the defending number-one-ranked team in the country, Haverford School, could climb all the way back to stage a victory.
Trailing 9-5, on the strength of a Herculean five-goal performance by Malvern senior Kyle Anderson, perhaps the Fords could score four or five goals, but a triumph would require stifling a Friars team that had scored three goals in the first, four in the second, and two more in the third against Haverford’s counter of three in the first, zero in the second, and two in the third.
But the Fords sustained their mental and emotional focus.
“When it’s 9-5, you try to make it 9-6,” said Haverford Coach John Nostrant. “You don’t look anywhere past that. If you get to 9-6, then you try for 9-7.”
Senior Forry Smith began the comeback with 7:39 left. When senior Keyveat Postell scored his second goal of the game 37 seconds later, it was suddenly 9-7.
Now on their heels, the Friars were dealing with an aggressive Haverford defense that had nothing to lose. When senior Brendan O’Neill tallied his second goal with 1:38 on the clock, the Fords trailed by only one. Now in desperation mode, the Fords forced several poor decisions by Malvern. After a steal, McNamara set the Haverford sideline and crowd into a frenzy by tying the game.
After a timeout, Haverford refused to relent, playing as though it was down by one goal instead of tied.
Senior Austin Helms found an unmarked McNamara in close, and the University of Notre Dame-bound midfielder converted what he later called the highlight of his high school career.
“I’ll never forget it,” said McNamara. “It was a great team comeback. To be able to score the last two goals in a game line that is very special.”
Haverford's Tommy McNamara nets game-winner with 3.7 seconds remaining
Haverford star senior Dox Aitken, who has played virtually every type of contest when combining his lacrosse and football experience, was relieved and impressed, but not particularly surprised.
“We strayed from our principles in the second quarter, and we knew if we settled down we would be able to get our looks,” said Aitken, who scored two goals. “I have played in some great games at Haverford, but never one of that magnitude.”
Tommy McNamara reflects on his team's amazing comback over Malvern Prep
McNamara's mother Diana congratulates her son after the win
Haverford goalie Alex deMarco enjoyed watching his teammates meticulously turn a sure loss into an epic story for the ages.
“It was fun,” he said. “They did an amazing job of coming back. Once it was 9-7, then 9-8, you got the sense that we were going to get the job done.”
The Fords are now 6-3 and the Friars are 6-2. The two teams play again on April 29.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)
