WESTMINSTER, Md. – In an attempt to erase a first half deficit, the Haverford College men's lacrosse team threw everything it had at the McDaniel defense but the Fords were unable to solve the Green Terror's puzzle in a 7-3 setback to start Centennial Conference play. The Fords controlled the second half's tempo and outshot the hosts by a 29-10 margin during the final 30 minutes, but 11 second half saves from the McDaniel goalie made that early advantage stand up.
Haverford went up early as Jonathan Frost won the game's first face-off to set up what would turn into brother Ben Frost's eighth goal of the season just 1:02 into the contest. Nevertheless, McDaniel was able to control the tempo during the first half and allowed the Fords just four more shots before the halftime break. During that time of defensive lockdown, the Green Terror tied the game nearly three minutes later and went on to score four more goals in the second quarter.
Leading 5-1 at the break, McDaniel made it six straight goals with the first strike of the second half. Co-captains Isaac Krier and Patrick Girard looked to the have momentum swinging back in the Fords' favor as they each tallied to cut the deficit to 6-3. Krier's eighth goal of the year came with 7:50 to play in the third quarter, while Girard's seventh tally made it 6-3 with over 13 minutes remaining in the fourth.
Despite Haverford outshooting McDaniel by a 20-3 margin during the final quarter, the only offense on the scoreboard after Girard's tally belonged to the Green Terror as they scored their final goal with 3:40 left in regulation time. McDaniel goalie Jakob Katzen made eight saves in the fourth quarter and finished with 14 total stops to keep the Haverford attack at bay.
Haverford goalie Dylan Slack made eight saves inside his crease. The Fords also held slight advantages in both ground balls (21-20) and caused turnovers (9-8). Chandler Todd highlighted those efforts with a team-best four ground balls and three caused turnovers. Max Ellis also collected three ground balls and was one of six other Fords who caused a turnover on Saturday.
Men's lacrosse will look to bounce back with another Centennial Conference match up at Muhlenberg this coming Wednesday. That contest will be played under the lights of Allentown with a 7 p.m. start. Haverford will be back at home for the first time in three weeks next Saturday as the Fords tangle with Franklin & Marshall on Swan Field for a 3 p.m. start.