Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/26/17
Staff Report
What a way to break into the win column.
Joel Trucksess won the opening faceoff of the second overtime period and Peter Garno (three goals) drilled in the game-winner today as host Haverford School stunned Culver Acadfemy (IN), 8-7, for its first victory of the season.
The Fords (1-2), who had fallen to MIAA powers McDonogh School and St. Paul’s to open the year, played with Culver – the No. 4 team in the C2C Lacrosse North America Rankings – all day, mainly behind its defense and strong play at the X by Trucksess (14 of 19 faceoffs).
Still, it took a late fourth-period goal by Connor Devine to send it into OT. Both teams failed in their only possession of the first OT and then Trucksess won the second overtime faceoff and quickly the ball went to Garno for the winner past matthew Schmidt (Notre Dame signee).
“The defense played really well,” said Trucksess, a Lehigh signee. “They have one of the better offenses in the country and to keep them to 7 goals is outstanding. Our short stick defenders and long poles played well.”
Trucksess also credited is wings for the success at the X.
“I was clicking with the wings.” he said. “I would pull it to them or manage to get it myself.”
The Fords were coming off an emotional 8-7 OT loss to St. Paul’s (5-0) in a huge rivalry game. “It was an emotional loss, but we played played pretty well,” said Trucksess. “We had two practices since then and we put it behind us.”
Last year Culver defeated Haverford twice by a goal, the last one coming in the Inter-Ac Challenge title game.
The Fords are off until April 4 when they play Boys’ Latin and then they open Inter-Ac league play on April 7 against rival and favorite Malvern Prep.
“We have a big game with Boys’ Latin so we won’t get ahead of ourselves,” said Trucksess. “Playing these really good teams helps us prepare for the league.”
The Haverford School 8, Culver Academy 7, 2 OT
Haverford School 2-1-3-1-0-1- – 8
Culver Academy 2-1-2-2-0-0- 7
Haverford School
Luke O’Grady 1g
Johnny Nostrant 2g
Peter Garno 3g, 2a
Connor Devine 1g
TJ Malone 1g
Parker Henderer 7 saves
Joel Trucksess 14 of 19 FO
Culver Academy
William Clayton 1g
Alex Simmons 2g
Jackson Reid 3g, 2a
Jake Stevens 1g
Matthew Schmidt 8 saves