GETTYSBURG, Pa. – The Haverford College men's lacrosse team jumped out to a 3-1 lead against No. 4 Gettysburg on Saturday in what looked like a promising start. However, the Bullets showed why they are nationally-ranked with a furious comeback to take a 5-4 lead. The Fords were down just one goal heading the fourth, but a 5-0 final period sealed the victory for the host Bullets.
Patrick Girard scored twice for the Fords to help stake them to an early advantage. The senior co-captain recorded an unassisted goal to open the scoring under four minutes into the game. Just over a minute later, the Bullets were whistled for a one-minute tripping penalty. Ben Frost promptly took advantage with a man-up goal off a pass from Stephen DeLeo. Frost's goal was his 16th of the season, while DeLeo was credited with his eighth helper on the play.
Haverford's defense kept the high-powered Bullets off the scoreboard for nearly the entire first quarter. Nevertheless, Gettysburg broke through with its first goal of the game at the 1:38 mark of the period. Girard answered that tally with another man-up goal that came with just 22 seconds left in the first. Girard's goal was his 17th of the season. His goal, off a pass from Rob McLallen, made the score 3-1 after 15 minutes. That lead came despite Gettysburg holding a 9-8 advantage in shots during the opening period.
Gettysburg scored three straight goals to start the second period. Stephen DeLeo broke that stretch with his 18th goal of the year, tying the score at four-all. Kevin Goshorn was credited with his fourth assist of the year on the play. Nevertheless, the Bullets scored two consecutive goals to close the first half and open the second. Brian Geffroy's sixth goal of the season made the score 6-5 heading into the fourth quarter. McLallen tallied his second assist on that goal, giving him eight for the season. That 6-5 score would be the closest Haverford came the rest of the day as Gettysburg used a 5-0 fourth quarter to seal the Centennial Conference victory.
Dylan Slack made 10 saves in goal to anchor Haverford's defense as he also came up with a team-best five ground balls. Colby Ferrigno led the Fords with a pair of caused turnovers. In addition to his two assists, McLallen picked up three ground balls.
Men's lacrosse will be back at home next Saturday for Senior Day against Ursinus. That game is scheduled for a 3 p.m. face-off and will be played as part of a doubleheader with the women's game against the Bears starting at 12 p.m. on Swan Field.