CHESTERTOWN, Md. – The Haverford College men's lacrosse team battled back from an early 4-0 deficit and had its game against Washington College within a single goal difference on three different occasions Wednesday night. However, the Fords (4-5, 0-2 CC) just could not find the equalizer in an eventual 9-7 defeat at the hands of the host Shoremen (6-3, 2-0 CC).
Isaac Krier led the Haverford offense with three goals and one assist. Rob McLallen also added two goals and an assist to help lead the offense. Freshmen Garret Trucksess and Stephen DeLeo also tallied for Haverford in a game during which the Fords put their teamwork on display with assists on each of their seven goals. Those seven assists came from seven different players.
Washington College held its largest shooting advantage of the contest in the opening quarter with a 9-4 edge in shots during the first 15 minutes. Eric Caliendo made two saves in the first, second, and third quarters; however, the Shoremen did score four times in the first 11-plus minutes of game action. Nonetheless, Haverford did not relent as Trucksess and McLallen each tallied in the final 1:15 of the quarter.
Washington College was caught with too many men on the field early in the second quarter and Haverford got the first crack at a man-up opportunity. The Fords quickly capitalized with McLallen's second goal in just under three minutes of playing time. This marked the first of three chances Haverford gave itself to tie the game.
The Shoremen went up 5-3 with the next goal in the second quarter, but Krier answered with his first goal of the night just over two minutes later. The two sides traded goals all the way up to 7-6. DeLeo and Krier each scored for Haverford during that stretch which spanned the second through fourth quarters.
Krier's second goal of the night made the score 7-6 with 13:15 remaining in regulation. However, the Shoremen scored back-to-back goals for the first time since the opening quarter just over two minutes later. Those goals, which came just over a minute apart, set the score at 9-6. Krier converted a second man-up chance for Haverford in the game's final two minutes; however, it would not be enough as Washington College goalie Ben Flood made three of his 10 saves in the final 15 minutes to help his team hold onto the lead.
Haverford put more shots on goal over the contest than Washington College with a 17-15 advantage in that category. This statistical edge was a 13-9 advantage during the final 45 minutes. Helping give Haverford chances on the attacking end was 15 caused turnovers from the Haverford defense. Chandler Todd led that effort with three caused turnovers as he also collected a team-best six groundballs on the evening. Sommer Stein also forced three giveaways throughout the conference contest.
Men's lacrosse will be back on the road this Saturday as the team travels to McDaniel for a 1 p.m. start time.