By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/4/11
Host Haverford School scored seven unanswered goals to erase a 5-4 deficit late in the third period and went on to defeat Malvern Prep, 11-5, today in an Inter-Ac League boys’ lacrosse game.
The Fords, ranked No. 1 in the country in all three major polls, improved to 17-0 overall and clinched at least a tie for the Inter-Ac title (6-0 record). Haverford School can win the crown outright by defeating Episcopal Academy Saturday or if Malvern (10-5, 4-3) tops second-place Germantown Academy Saturday.
Matt Walters scored three goals – all in the decisive fourth period – and Carl Walrath had two goals and an assist while Brendan McGrath and Gavin McBride each tallied two for the Fords. Hup Hupfeldt added a goal and three assists and Grove Stewart scored once.
Chris Hiburn led Malvern Prep with a goal and an assist while Mike Dougherty, Russell Atkinson, TJ Hanzsche and Keith Dreyer scored once.
“This game means everything to us,” said Walters. “Malvern beat us twice last year.
“Coach (John Nostrant) called us in. He wasn’t negative. He said, ‘We’ve got this’ and we knew we had it in ourselves to win this game.”
Malvern seized the 5-4 lead late in the third period on a goal by Hanzsche, but Haverford School tied with 11 seconds left in the stanza on a cutch goal by McGrath off a feed by Hupfeldt.
Early in the third period Malvern Prep was assessed a three-minute infraction for an illegal stick and that – coupled with another penalty – gave the Fords a long man-up situation. They capitalized as McBride sandwiched two goals around one by Hupfeldt and Walters then scored three in a row.
“We came out real slow and it was 5-5, but the offense stepped it up as they always do,” said Haverford senior defenseman Alex Beatty. “You always get up for Malverm.
“Malvern and Haverford really don’t like each other.”
Added Malvern Prep coach Dave Metzbower: “We played great for 36 minutes and then Matt Walters had a phenomenal fourth quarter and the tide turned against us.
“We were a man down for three minutes and that didn’t help us either. Everything kind of fell at once. We just have to make sure we try to play 48 minutes next time.”
Walters said the Fords have gotten used to being ranked first in the nation and serving as the prized target for all opponents. But he admitted the pressure is intense.
“We’re used to being No. 1 because we’ve been there all season .. knock on wood,” he said. “At the same time it’s really stressful.
“Sometimes you (feel it), but you have to keep on going.”
Malvern Prep 2-2-1-0 -5
Haverford School 1-3-1-6 – 22
Haverford School
Carl Walrath – 2g, 1a
Hup Hupfeldt – 1g, 3a
Brendan McGrath – 2g
Matt Walters 3g
Sam Rohr – 1a
Grove Stewart 1g
Will McNamara 1a
Gavin McBride 2g
goalie Conor Kelly 5 saves
Malvern Prep
Hilburn 1g, 1a
Keith Dreyer 1g
Mike Dougherty 1g
Russell Atkinson 1g
TJ Hanzche 1g
Ryan McDevitt 4 saves
Matt Barrett 8 saves
