ASHLAND, Va. – Matching up in another defensive battle, the Haverford College men's lacrosse team came away with a 6-5 win at Randolph-Macon on Saturday. The Fords (3-1) doubled up the Yellow Jackets (2-3) by a 4-2 score during the second half and got the game-winning goal from Stephen DeLeo with just six seconds remaining to cap a come-from-behind victory.
DeLeo was one of five goal scorers on the day for the Fords as Ben Frost was the only Ford to tally twice in the win. DeLeo, who also caused the turnover to give the Fords their final possession, set up the first goal of the game that was scored by Patrick Girard. Girard and DeLeo both finished their road trip with three point outings. Dylan Slack stopped 10 of Randolph Macon's 15 shots on goal to help the Fords pick up their third straight win.
Both defenses were seemingly relentless in the opening period as the two sides combined for just six shots. However, three man-up chances for the Fords started to get the attacks going. Haverford wasted little time on its first extra-man opportunity as the Yellow Jackets drew the first flag of the afternoon with an unnecessary roughness call. Just 40 seconds later, it was Girard's second goal of the season off a pass from DeLeo that made the score 1-0.
Randolph-Macon scored the next two goals, but Frost answered with 2:48 to play in the first half. Nevertheless, the Yellow Jackets would take a 3-2 lead into the break as they capitalized on their first man-up attempt of the game with 2:26 to play before the end of the period.
Scoring was also hard to come by in the third quarter, but Frost was able to tally his ninth goal of the season with 5:35 remaining in the quarter. That game-tying goal was set up by Girard, who now has five points (two goals, one assist) on the season.
Haverford reclaimed the lead just 1:53 into the fourth quarter as the Fords used quick transition after killing off a penalty to convert on the attacking end. Justin Brendel made the most of that quick attack as he finished his first career goal with 13:07 to play in the game, giving the Fords a 4-3 edge.
Randolph-Macon answered at the 8:25 mark, but less than two minutes later Garrett Trucksess scored his second goal of the season with the help of Isaac Krier to give the visitors the lead back. The host Yellow Jackets retied the game with 3:10 to play.
Haverford won the ensuing faceoff, but both sides would have chances as each team turned it over twice in the final three minutes. Ultimately, it was Saturday's hero – DeLeo – who caused the final turnover to give Haverford the final chance at a regulation win. That final turnover came in transition as head coach Brendan Dawson then called a timeout with 1:19 to play, setting up the final attack. Those final words of wisdom ultimately paid off as the Fords tallied with six seconds on the clock as neither team could secure a faceoff win in the remaining time.
Randolph-Macon turned the possession over 19 times on Saturday as the Fords held a 33-27 edge in ground balls. Chandler Todd had six of those pickups while PJ Jackson added four more.
Men's lacrosse continue its stretch of road games back in Pennsylvania next week as the Fords travel to Gwynedd Mercy on Wednesday before a trip to No. 5 York next Saturday. Both of those games are scheduled for 1 p.m. start. After the conclusion of the four-game road trip, Haverford will be at home three straight times to close out the month of March.