HAVERFORD, PA – Before the lacrosse season began, the scuttlebutt surrounding the boys’ Inter-Academic League included a surprising assessment that several teams might contend for a championship.
Raise your hand if you thought that was a bunch of political correctness.
You get major kudos for your honesty.
But a funny thing happened throughout the spring. Not a single team seemed remotely unbeatable. This in itself was newsworthy, because for the past few seasons, Haverford School and Malvern Prep were the only programs that could realistically capture a league crown.
Not this campaign.
“There were a lot of good teams,” said Haverford School senior John Nostrant. “That just forced us to play at our best every game because our number-one goal every year is to win the league.”
Haverford vs. Malvern Prep
For the third straight season, Haverford did precisely that.
After the two juggernauts split their season series, and both teams suffered upset defeats – Haverford to Penn Charter, Malvern to Episcopal – it appeared that both the Fords and the Friars would share the title.
However, Episcopal didn’t get the message.
In Malvern’s final league game on May 12, the Churchmen shocked the Friars with an 8-7 victory. EA’s season sweep over Malvern opened a cavernous door for Haverford to waltz through because the Fords’ next opponent, Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy, was, on paper at least, overmatched.
“My dad was actually at the (Malvern-Episcopal) game and he texted me the final score,” said Haverford senior Chris Hervada. “We were really excited because of the opportunity it gave us. Now that we knew we wouldn't have to share the title with anyone else if we won our next game, it got us more pumped up to finally seal the deal.”
Hervada was helping assistant coach Mark Petrone at a Radnor youth league practice when the latter received the news that Malvern had lost. He immediately informed Nostrant.
“Our game against (Chestnut Hill) was the next day,” said Nostrant. “Everyone was really hyped up. It was a weird game playing in the freezing rain, but we knew what was at stake and took care of business.”
The Friars prevailed, 11-5, and despite an elevator ride of a season, they seized first place for the third consecutive season.
A trio of Haverford seniors reflected on winning the league title outright instead of sharing it.
"Winning it outright makes things a tad bit sweeter,” said Haverford School senior Evan Scott. “Being able to control our own destiny is a huge confidence booster. It put a bit of pressure on us, though, but for us pressure's nothing new. So we dealt with that.
“We boiled the game against SCHA down to just another game. That's gotta be the mindset. Our coaches tell us there's no such thing as turning the switch on and off, it’s always gotta be on."
Hervada concurred.
“There were definitely some more bumps in the road this year as opposed to previous ones, but I think we're all pretty happy with what we accomplished,” said Hervada. “We just kept trying to focus on each other and getting a little bit better every day, trying to avoid overthinking about what other teams were doing.
Haverford seniors John Nostrant and Chris Hervada - PSD photo by Zamani Feelings
“Winning a title regardless of who else shares it is a great accomplishment, but getting to win it outright definitely feels better.”
After losing to Penn Charter, 9-7, on April 18, the Fords found themselves in uncommon territory watching an underdog celebrate a victory, especially on their home turf.
“Initially everyone was really bummed out,” said Hervada. “Starting with practice the next day, we weren't gonna let it hang over our heads because we knew we still had tough teams to play and our goals to reach.”
Those goals were ultimately attained, supporting the adage that it doesn’t much matter how you arrive at your destination, only that you arrive.
John Knebels can be reached at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)