One of the most respected lacrosse programs in the United States has once again taken Sabol Field, searching to continue its historic dominance. Haverford Lacrosse has amassed extraordinary results: winning two national championships in the past two decades, claiming the Inter-Ac title twenty-two times, and triumphing in the State Championships ten times.
“Our goals this season are to win the Inter-Ac, stay at the top of the league, and be nationally competitive,” Fifth Former Finn French said. “It’s a lot different from last year. There’s a new identity, and that’s what makes it special—we’re building our own character.”
The team lost twelve seniors who had been core parts of last year’s league championship squad. Fords Lacrosse now faces a monumental task: defeating the other top teams in the Inter-Ac. Malvern Prep Lacrosse is ranked third in the country according to Inside Lacrosse, while Episcopal Academy sits at fourteenth. The Fords are ranked seventeenth this year, eleven spots below where they were at this point last year.
The Fords are ready to defy the odds once again.
“Every season is a new challenge, and that’s the most exciting part for me,” Head Coach Mr. Brendan Dawson said. “Having to figure out how this team is going to grow and come together as a group is going to take a lot of effort and patience.”
Partially contributing to the low ranking was a home match on March 17 against Loyola Blakefield, where the Fords fell with a narrow score of 8-9.
“One area we’re trying to improve is leadership on the field, and also impacting the game more with our competitiveness—bringing energy, riding hard, clearing well, and doing the little things like [with the] ground balls,” Fifth Former Conor Morsell said. “I’m looking forward to playing Inter-Ac games and hopefully making a run in the state playoffs. I think we can do it.”
The Fords are still trying to move up the ranks by staying one step ahead of the ever-improving competition.
“One area we’re trying to improve from last season is starting games stronger. I think we started a little slow last year, so we want to start games better,” French said.
“I’d love us to focus on making our teammates better this year,” Coach Dawson said. “Getting assisted goals and helping each other defensively, especially. Our goals are the same as in years past: to be nationally competitive and win the Inter-Ac.”
“The guys know they are part of a special team and group, and they get to carry on the tradition”
Head Coach Mr. Brendan Dawson
While the Fords aim for collective success, they have assembled quite a few standout athletes, many of whom will go on to the collegiate level to play lacrosse. Conor Morsell will go on to play at Notre Dame, Finn French to Duke University, Chris Burnetta to Harvard University, Thomas Hutchinson to The Catholic University of America, Cole Lisowski to Providence College, Jack Risser to Bates College, Braiden DeLacy to Bowdoin College, Charlie Regan to The Naval Academy, Gavin Morrissey to Villanova University, Jack Rischitelli to Trinity College, Teddy Gillin to Cornell University, Anthony Costa to Brown University, Grant Large to Salisbury University, Danny Kinnard to High Point University, and Jackson Gillis to Notre Dame.
But the truth is, whatever anyone says or whatever rank they give, Fords Lacrosse is a special team that enjoys the small moments.
“Being out there with my friends and competing against really good teams has been my favorite part of this team,” Morsell said. “The competition is really high.”
“The guys know they are part of a special team and group, and they get to carry on the tradition,” Coach Dawson said. “That is both good and bad—there is a sense of pride that comes with it, but also a sense of anxiousness or pressure. I’d like us to focus on the fact that we’re lucky to be a part of something bigger than just ourselves and be grateful for the opportunity that presents.”
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