VILLANOVA, PA- Losing the last scholastic athletic event of your career is not an easy task. Considering that you had won about 90 percent of your preceding games, it’s even tougher.
Back on May 22, Haverford School’s lacrosse team lost to Indiana juggernaut Culver Academy in the Inter-Ac Challenge championship, 8-7, at Villanova University. It was the definition of a weird game. The Fords could do nothing right for the first three quarters, and suddenly, they started to score. Down 8-3 entering the fourth quarter, Haverford closed to within 8-7 – senior Tommy McNamara’s hat trick providing the impetus – and had possession, but a miracle comeback proved to be only a tease.
The Fords finished with a 20-5 record, this after running through the previous season unblemished at 26-0 while being deemed the unofficial national champion.
When you add this past fall’s 10-0 undefeated football season into the mix, it’s clear that the athletes at Haverford School knew how to win.
But what they proved even more impressively is that they knew how to lose.
The post-loss scene included sporadic tears. An uncommon sight was watching many of the young Haverford School gladiators noticeably limp as they methodically retreated to the locker room.
As the players banded together inside Nova’s venue, Haverford School coach John Nostrant talked with reporters. He acknowledged that the Fords struggled early and that it cost them in the end. He lauded his players for not giving up despite mounting frustration throughout the first three quarters, thanked his stars – both figuratively and literally – for the privilege of coaching such talent.
Before he left, he walked over to the Culver players and congratulated them, sharing smiles and some handshakes. It was classy. It was wonderful to see.
INTER-AC CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIP HAVERFORD SCHOOL vs. CULVER ACADEMY
Now graduates en route to college, a few players shared their thoughts on their last game and collective careers.
Keyveat Postell, who next year will play lacrosse at Penn, said that, during the comeback, he could not help but think about the Malvern Prep game back on April 12. That spectacle will live in infamy, a 9-5, fourth-quarter deficit turning into a surreal 10-9 win.
“Our mentality was, if we did it before, we can do it again,” said Postell, whose goal with 17 seconds left in the championship trimmed the Fords’ deficit to 8-7. “Obviously it didn't go our way, but I'm proud of the toughness we played with at the end. It speaks volumes to how we developed as a team since the first time we played them (a 9-8 overtime loss on March 20).
“We also had far too many turnovers in the clear and our offense didn't take good shots. The final quarter was a testament to our focus and full ability, but it's not enough when it's only one quarter.
“The one positive thing I can take away from the game is knowing that our younger guys are battle-tested, and they know what it means to compete now. Of course, we would've liked to win, but sports teach you important lessons whether you win or lose.”
Postell said the players expected to win, which increased their disappointment.
“We were all pretty hurt, but we talked about the game, what ‘should've’ happened, what we ‘could've’ done,” he said. “At the end of the day you win some and you lose some, and I think the greater success of the season overshadowed the blemish at the end.”
University of Virginia-bound Dox Aitken leaves his school with no regrets.
“The best decision of my life was to attend Haverford,” said Aitken, like Postell also a football star.
“I have learned so much from my teachers and coaches and made friendships that will last a lifetime. Our lacrosse teams had great success and most importantly had fun doing it. I wouldn't change that for anything.”
Goalie Alex deMarco, a back-up kicker for the football team, is heading to Penn to play lacrosse with Postell. Against Culver, he kept the Fords close and on three occasions made a difficult save that resulted in a Haverford goal shortly thereafter.
“I think the returning guys can take this game as a learning experience,” said deMarco.
“Although we didn't get the result we wanted, we played our hardest and sometimes that's all you can ask for.
“I mean, when you think about it, it definitely hurts, but I also think about all of the success we have had and it balances out the emotions. No matter what, we will want that game back, but the success we have had will always outweigh that game in my mind.”
In a few months, another athletic year will begin. New names will replace the old. Legacies will be officially cemented.
The challenge that awaits the current underclassmen is formidable.
(John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com.)