Signature win: The Haverford College men's lacrosse team sent its senior class out with a victory against rival Swarthmore. Playing on Swan Field for the final time, the senior class fueled a 10-0 run that spanned the second through fourth periods. The offensive outburst turned a 6-2 deficit into a 12-6 lead. The Fords went on to match the rival Garnet the rest of the way in the 14-8 victory. Seniors Will Weissberg, Jack Bodine and Geoff Geppert all scored during the offensive blitz. With all seven seniors in the starting lineup, it was Geppert that set to the tone for the attack with four goals and two assists in the game. Patrick Girard and Tav Hafner also had two goals in the victory, while Eric Caliendo made 10 saves during the season finale.
Season notes: A staple of the program under head coach Colin Bathory '99, Haverford always looks to schedule the toughest opposition possible to prepare itself for the always-challenging Centennial Conference schedule. This year was no different as three of the Fords' six non-conference opponents were noted in the national polls during their meeting with the Fords. Haverford also had a pair of nationally-ranked road trips during conference play. The Fords won four games on their home tuft, defeating Mount St. Mary (N.Y.), FDU-Florham, Muhlenberg, and Swarthmore on Swan Field. A pair of overtime defeats at the hands of McDaniel and then-defending Centennial Conference Champion Washington College left the Fords knowing they can be right in the mix for a return to the Centennial Conference Tournament sooner rather than later.
As evidenced by the comeback victory against Swarthmore, Haverford seemingly got stronger into the later periods of games. The Fords appeared at their best in the final minutes as they held a 32-17 advantage in goals over their opposition in the fourth period. Against FDU-Florham, Haverford was tied at four-all at the half before using a 9-2 second half advantage in the victory. Haverford was also tied at three heading to halftime against Muhlenberg before doubling up the Mules over the final 30 minutes of that Centennial Conference victory. In Haverford's road victory against Gwynedd Mercy, the Fords used a 7-3 edge over the final 30 minutes to secure a comeback victory. Haverford scored the only three goals in the fourth period for a 10-9 victory in that contest.
Postseason Awards:
- All-Centennial Conference: Eric Caliendo (honorable mention), Geoff Geppert (honorable mention)
- Centennial Conference Academic Honor Roll: Eric Caliendo, Evan Dorman, Andrew Fenaroli, Geoff Geppert, Will Holden, Ben Miltenberg, Jack Russ, Brandon Smith
- Centennial Conference All-Sportsmanship Team: Eric Caliendo
- Philadelphia Inquirer Academic All-Area: Eric Caliendo
Looking ahead: Haverford will look to return 12 of its top 15 point producers from the 2015 season. Of those 12 returners, just two will be entering their senior seasons in 2016. That list also includes six freshmen, highlighted by Patrick Girard and Isaac Krier. Both of those freshmen tied for second on the team will 11 goals during the rookie campaigns in 2015. Defensively, three-year starter and honorable mention All-CC pick Eric Caliendo will look to anchor the defense. In addition to Caliendo, Brandon Smith, PJ Jackson, and Max Ellis will provide stability to defensive unit as each of these three players appeared in all 14 games during the season.