FORT WASHINGTON, PA- With each goal, the inevitable came closer to reality.
Ahead by a somewhat uncomfortable 6-4, Haverford School engineered a second-half, four-goal blitz, and just like that, the Fords were on their way to a 13-6 victory May 10 at Germantown Academy. The victory clinched the Inter-Academic League crown, the third such accomplishment for the seniors who have played varsity since freshman season.
Haverford's Peter Garno scores to make it 7-4
Haverford's Dox Aitken scores from up close
Asked why their countenance throughout the contest appeared rather ho-hum, the Ford players elected to alter the adjective “ho-hum” with “business-like.” And, so, why the business-like visage?
“We were pretty confident . . . maybe a little too confident,” said Haverford School senior defenseman Andrew Westby. “I think we got back on track pretty well.”
Like his teammates, Westby said the Fords meant no disrespect to Germantown Academy.
“We’re always confident going into our Inter-Ac games,” said Westby. “We’re expected to win. A lot of work goes in behind that.”
Haverford's Keyveat Postell discusses Haverford School's mindset
Senior Keyveat Postell, who joined senior teammate Dox Aitken with a three-goal contribution (teammates Luke O’Grady and Peter Garno added two apiece), admitted that the Fords came out “kinda flat,” this despite Haverford School building a 5-1 lead, followed by an inspired comeback by GA that closed the gap to 6-4.
“It was not a good first half for us,” said Postell."
"The coaches weren’t too happy with how we were playing. Frankly, neither were we. We came to win. That was never a question.”
Now 13-6 overall and 9-0 in the Inter-Ac, Haverford School can finish with a perfect league record if victorious against visiting Springside/Chestnut Hill on Friday. After that comes the post-season Inter-Ac Challenge, which Haverford School captured last year.
While they haven’t imitated last year’s undefeated, nationally renowned squad – expecting such a feat would have been highly unrealistic and, frankly, unfair – the Fords remain motivated to provide their own niche in Haverford School athletic lore.
“We want to win every game we have left,” said Postell. “Expectations were high coming into the year, but that’s okay. That’s to be expected.
“Once we had our first loss (in the second game of the season), there was no way we could go undefeated. So we have tried to make our own legacy.”
Germantown Academy's Andrew Towne scores a goal
Germantown Academy coach Brian Grady appreciated the Patriots (9-11 overall, 3-6 league) not succumbing to disappointment after they fell behind, 5-1. He admitted that effort sometimes can’t overcome other athletic tangibles.
“It’s a combination of their talent and ability,” said Grady. “We made some mistakes that we don’t normally make and there’s a snowball effect. It’s a testament to their level of play that makes it so difficult to come back.”
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)