Springside Chestnut Hill JV lacrosse games have been a fierce and aggressive battle over the last few years. Last year, both games were intense competitions—both going into overtime, both falling in the Fords’ favor. This year the SCHA JV team came into the season with one thing in mind, to get revenge on the Fords. SCHA thought those games last year should’ve fallen in their favor, so they came back this season ready to prove why. Earlier in the season was the first game between the two, SCHA came to Haverford. They walked the walk after talking the talk, winning on a buzzer-beater, and heading home with a win.
April 30th, the Fords were on the bus, driving 45 minutes to SCHA, ready for revenge. “We’re the better team. That last game the ball just wasn’t bouncing our way, today we’re going to show why we truly are better,” Fourth Form midfielder Packy Rouse said.
The boys got off the bus, yearning to hear that first whistle. They were ready to show what they can do when playing their best.
After the first whistle blew, the Haverford boys did not look flat-footed, surprising after a 45-minute bus ride. “We came out flying, moving the ball quickly, and controlling the pace of play, we were firing on all cylinders. Another thing that got us going quickly was the energy from our whole team,” Fourth Form midfielder Jack Rischitelli said.
Risch swept across the restraining line and drew a defender, zipping the ball through the middle to Third Former Danny Kenard, who painted the bottom right corner. “Kinnard’s goal was an energy booster, I’ve never seen the bench more hype for the first goal of a game,” Fourth Form defensive midfielder Tommy Gowen said.
SCHA woke up, turned on a different gear, and began to control the game’s pace. A well-built strong midfielder put the team on his back to get on the board, trucking through three Haverford defensemen and putting one in the back of the net.
From that goal on, it was all SCHA’s game. Their goalie was unstoppable in the net. He was saving shots going for all corners.
“Their goalie was for sure their best player, he could’ve saved our shots if the balls were as small as squash balls,” Fourth Former attackman Jonesy Lerch said.
The SCHA tear continued over the second and third quarters, putting five easy unanswered goals on the board. “We couldn’t respond to their offensive scheme, they went up big and our team sort of just gave up,” Risch said.
Risch tried to get the Fords back in the fourth quarter. He split-dodged down the alley, hit a quick roll back, and ripped a high bouncer to put the Fords on the back on the board. The goalie didn’t see it for a second. “It definitely gave the boys some good energy,” Lerch said.
Rischitelli put another one in, making it 5-3 in the fourth, but there wasn’t enough time for the Fords to make a comeback. The Fords went home with a loss on their record.
“It was definitely a tough loss,” Third Form goalie Jackson Gillis said “But all that is on our mind now is coming back more sharp for the next game.”
