McDonogh’s Connor Morgan scored five goals for the Eagles, but his team came up short on Saturday afternoon as Haverford (PA), the number one ranked high school lacrosse team in the country beat the Eagles, 12-10, in Owings Mills.
Haverford goalie Conor Kelly was outstanding in the nets, turning back 16 Eagles shots.
“Conor bailed us out today,” said Fords coach John Nostrant. “Conor made some great saves and started the break for us. It was a great day for him.”
Brendan McGrath and Hup Hupfeldt each scored three times for Haverford, as seven different players creased the net for Nostrant.
Hupfeldt got two big goals in less than two minutes as the Fords overcame a 5-4 halftime deficit to take a 6-5 lead with 8:52 to go in the third quarter. A Hupfeldt goal with 2:42 to go in the third gave Haverford a 9-6 lead, but McDonogh would not quit. Brady Faby scored with a minute to go in the third quarter, and Keegan Michael pulled the Eagles to within one at 9-8 at the 11:40 mark of the fourth. Michael, who finished with three goals, also scored with less than five seconds remaining to set the final score.
Will McNamara, who played a key role in Haverford’s win over St. Paul’s last week, put the Fords up 10-8 at 10:56, but Morgan got the Eagles close again at 10-9 at 9:51.
Zach Rego and McGrath added late goals for the Fords to give them breathing room and the win.
McGrath, who will play at Princeton next season, said it was tough to come down on the road and play another top MIAA team.
“We had a slow start in the first half, but our defense kept us in it the whole time,” said McGrath.
Hupfeldt praised the play of Kelly.
“Conor Kelly did an awesome job. We came out and played our game, and Conor took care of the rest.”
The Notre Dame bound Kelly said it was a real tough game.
“The third quarter was huge. We had a lot of possessions in a row, and I think that swung the momentum.”
Morgan was outstanding for the Eagles. He scored three first half goals that helped give the Eagles a 5-4 lead at the half.
“We gave it our all today,” said Morgan. “We saw them crashing the crease on alley-dodges, and we got the alley-dodge. They were open down low.”
McDonogh’s tough Kyle DeVinney said that everyone on the team fought hard. “When talent’s not working hard, hard work beats talent,” said DeVinney.
DeVinney said that the Ford goalie was a big factor. “Conor Kelly is a great goalie; that’s why it was a close game.”
“We knew that they would be fast, competitive and physical,” said Eagle face-off specialist Keegan Michael. “We learned that we can play with just about anybody in the country.”
Fords coach Stranton said that to come down here and win twice in one week is pretty special.
Haverford’s Hupfeldt will play at Penn, Matt Walters is headed for Syracuse, and Carl Walrath will go to Virginia along with McNamara. At least 15 of Stranton’s players are headed for D-1 programs.
Haverford 12, McDonogh 10
HAV 3 1 5 3 – 12
McD 3 2 2 3 – 10
Goals: HAV-McGrath 3, Hupfeldt 3, McNamara 2, Walters, Walrath, McBride, Rego; McD-Morgan 5, Michael 3, McGee, Faby.
Assists: HAV-Rego, Hupfeldt 2, McGrath, Walters, Rohr; McD-Michael, DeVinney, Faby, Glaser 2, Daly.
Saves: HAV-Kelly 16; McD-Falcone 7.
