RADNOR, Pa. - The 2013 men's lacrosse season opened on the road Saturday afternoon for Haverford College and Geoff Geppert and Christian Clay each scored three times, but the visiting Fords weren't able to overcome a second-period spurt from fifth-ranked Cabrini College and eventually fell, 18-12, to the Cavaliers in non-conference action under rainy skies at E.R. Dixon Field.
The Fords (0-1) broke out to two-goal leads twice in the opening period and didn't allow the Cavaliers (1-0) to own the advantage until the early minutes of the second quarter, but Cabrini notched six unanswered goals over the final seven minutes before the half and rode that lead until the game's final horn.
Geppert and Dan LoSardo pushed Haverford ahead 2-0 within the opening four minutes of the contest but the Cavaliers scored twice to pull even and then the teams traded pairs of goals to close out the season's opening 15 minutes of action with the teams tied at 4-4.
Cabrini took its first lead of the game in the opening minutes of the second period on a goal from Mike Leyden but five minutes later Haverford's Henry Millson scored his first of the season to put the score at 5-5 halfway through the quarter.
What proved to be the deciding seven minutes closed out the second quarter as Cabrini scored six straight times then held off Haverford which played even with the hosts over the final 30 minutes.
Eric Caliendo, a freshman making his first collegiate start in goal for Haverford, finished the day with 12 saves but also suffered his first defeat. Scott Chanelli led the defensive effort in front of Caliendo as the senior defender notched game-highs in caused turnovers (5) and ground ball pick-ups (7).
At the center dot, John Schipper won half of his face-offs (13-of-26) for the Fords.
Leyden and Corey Elmer scored four goals apiece for the Cavaliers in their victory, and Elmer added five assists for a nine-point day. Goalkeeper Erick Zarzecki earned the win after coming up with 14 saves.
The Fords continue with non-conference action in their next game, heading to Greenwich, Conn., on March 2 for a battle against No. 20 St. Lawrence University.