Haverford tops St. Joe’s Prep in OT

As the ball sailed low past his right leg, Haverford School goalie Conor Kelly said he didn't think it would land in for a goal, as he had put himself in position to block the shooter's angle to the net.

But, since it was overtime, Kelly acknowledged he was a bit nervous.

"In my head, I was thinking 'Oh no,' " the senior said.

Kelly's initial instincts were on point. The ball ricocheted off the post, and Haverford corraled the rebound and went the length of the field for a goal to defeat visiting St. Joseph's Prep, 9-8, in a lacrosse thriller Saturday.

Will McNamara recovered the groundball and found a streaking Zach Rego down the left side. As Rego closed in on net, he baited a few Hawks defenders before slipping a pass to Sam Rohr.

Rohr quickly scored the winner, sending a shot toward the net almost as soon as the ball touched his stick.

He then glanced to his right at the large and vocal group of St. Joe's Prep faithful before joining his teammates as they piled on the field a few yards away.

"Coach has told us all year to follow the play, and Rego had a great look for me wide open, and it kind of just opened up for me," said Rohr, a Penn recruit who finished with two goals and an assist.

Rego and Rohr met each other in the eighth grade, playing on two lacrosse teams together. Rohr said that the bond continues to grow stronger and that it gives them an advantage on the field.

"I always know that he's that kid that's going to hit me when I'm open," Rohr said.

The Fords are ranked first in the state by Phillylacrosse.com. The Prep is fourth.

After Haverford (8-0) scored three consecutive times in the fourth quarter to take a one-goal advantage, the Prep (4-2) tied the game with 1 minute, 21 seconds left on a nifty, behind-the-shoulder goal by senior Cory Schuerle to force the extra period.

Senior goalie Liam Correia made 22 saves for the Hawks and faced consistent pressure, as Haverford worked long possessions and hindered the Prep's ability to clear the ball.

Prep coach Eric Gregg said he was proud of the commitment the goalie had showed to the program entering his senior season and added, "He's such a great kid. He's a special guy."

Both teams played an aggressive style, and the Fords were highlighted by 6-foot-7, longpole defenseman Alex Beatty. His height, combined with his six-foot stick, gives him a long reach and a clear advantage, he said.

Headed to Princeton, Beatty is one of 16 Fords committed to Division I programs.

St. Joseph's Prep   22310-8

Haverford School   21231-9

Goals: SJP-Clint Barber, Blaine Fleming, Jeff Heath, Brad James, Anthony Marini, Cory Schuerle 3; HS-Hup Hupfeldt 3, Gavin McBride, Will McNamara, Zach Rego, Sam Rohr 2, Grove Stewart.

Saves: SJP-Liam Correia 22; HS-Conor Kelly 12.

Contact staff writer Matt Breen at 215-854-4550 or mbreen@phillynews.com.