VILLANOVA, PA- The 2016 NXT Inter-Ac Challenge promised a lot before Friday’s semifinal match-ups between Culver Military Academy and Lawrenceville and the headliner between local powers Haverford and Malvern.

It promised college coaches, roaring fans, and even two complete lacrosse games.

With 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter of the second game, that promise came into doubt. A fuse tripped. Villanova Stadium went dark and folks were understandably upset.

When order and light was restored, lacrosse resumed. It even seemed as though someone had also decided to power on Malvern Prep’s stagnant offense with Mike Fay finally netting a goal for the Friars in the second half.

But then the lights went out again with 6 minutes and 25 seconds remaining.

Even the sporadic power outages could not stop Aitken and Ford offense. He finished with two goals, as did five other Ford players.

Thanks to a well spread scoring effort and the swift work of the stadium electricians, the Fords finally won 16-10 after a grueling fourth quarter that was interrupted twice by power outages on the field lights.

Two hours earlier, the game began with the Malvern Prep Friars feeling electric. Senior attackman Adam Goldner scored the first goal for MP and teammate Addison Mueller added another 58 seconds later.

Malvern and Haverford exchanged goal after goal throughout the first period, which ended with the Fords leading by a slim margin of 5-4.

At that point, the contest looked much more promising than Culver Military Academy’s 13-2 rout of Lawrenceville School in the opening match of the day.

As the game progressed though, the Ford slowly began to pull away, leading 13-6 entering intermission.

Haverford completed an 11-3 run in the second quarter to secure that halftime lead.

The Fords continued their dominance in the second half before, after and during the fiasco with the lights. Coach John Nostrant’s main concern was keeping his players safe from injury. He made sure the Fords stayed loose in order to stay healthy and secure the lead.

In the NXT Inter-Ac Challenge Championship, the Fords will face another dominant team in a rematch with the top seed Culver Military Academy.

The number seven nationally ranked Culver routed Lawrenceville in the early game.

“We come out at the start of our season and then to finish up in this tournament is terrific for our program and school. I think it has got to be one of the best high school tournaments out there and NXT does an amazing job running this event,” said Jon Posner, head coach of Culver. 

The Eagles and the Fords faced each other in March. Culver pulled out a 9-8 overtime victory.

For those who don’t know too much about Culver, it is a private military school focused on leadership. Besides preparing young men for life and sending many students to top universities, Culver Military Academy has risen to be a national power in high school lacrosse.

While Culver has excelled, the program has began to travel more and more to find better competition. Which is why Culver is here at the Inter-Ac Challenge.

“There’s pockets or a few teams in every area but nothing like this,” said Posner of the Midwest lacrosse scene. “That’s why we are here because nothing compares.”

Sunday night will be the match-up promised and that everyone has hoped for. Pitting the perennial Philly power against the Midwest best should bring some amazing energy.

Let’s just hope Villanova’s lights can last another high-powered lacrosse game.

NXT INTER-AC CHALLENGE SEMIFINAL GAME STATS