Red Devils Suffer Setback in NCAA Second Round

Photo by James Rasp

It was the third meeting for the Centennial Conference rivals, who slip the first two prior meetings in one-goal decisions. The Red Devils rallied to top the 'Fords 9-8 in the regular season and dropped a 12-11, double-overtime match-up in the conference semifinal.

The 'Fords struck first, capitalizing on an early Dickinson penalty as Phillip Valliant (Centreville, Md./St. Andrews) scored, unassisted just 38 seconds into the game.

Junior Max Hjelm (Devon, Pa./Conestoga) finished a Zack Cohen (Mountain Lakes, N.J./Mountain Lakes) assist at the 12:48 mark to put Haverford up 2-0.

The Red Devils answered with a three-goal run, triggered by a strike from long-stick defenseman John Haire (Darien, Conn./Darien) with 12:09 remaining in the first quarter.

Sophomore Sam Greenberg (Owings Mills, Md./McDonogh) tied the game, scoring off an assist from classmate Ward Gruppo (Fairfield, Conn./Fairfield Prep) with 9:51 on the clock.

Senior Chris Dodson (Bethesda, Md./Landon) gave the Devils the lead just 15 seconds later, netting his 23rd goal of the season.

Hjelm tallied his 41st of the season, tying the game, 3-3, at the 7:28 mark to keep the teams even after the first period.

The second quarter belonged to Haverford as they kept Dickinson off the board, scoring five goals to lead 8-3 at halftime. Valliant tacked on a pair of goals while junior Myles Monaghan (Mamaroneck, N.Y./Mamaroneck) added two goals as well.

Andrew Kim (Annapolis, Md./The Key School) scored with 4:14 remaining in the half and assisted Cohen just 53 seconds after the break to stretch Haverford's lead to 9-3.

Gruppo answered for Dickinson at the 12:19 mark, but that would be the only tally for the Devils in the third quarter. Hjelm tacked on a goal and an assist in the third to give the 'Fords an 11-4 advantage heading into the final 15 minutes.

The Haverford defense held, allowing a late goal while adding two in the fourth, for the final of 13-5.

Senior Dewey Dubord (Freeport, Maine/Governor Dummer) tallied his second goal of the season with 22 seconds left to play.

Junior Pat Curley (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. St. Joseph) turned in a strong performance on face-offs, winning 11-of-20 and controlling eight ground balls.

Senior defenseman Al Golod (Lloyd Harbor, N.Y./Cold Spring Harbor) caused three turnovers and controlled four ground balls. Haire added five ground balls while long-stick middie Brandon Palladino (Basking Ridge, N.J./Ridge) picked-up five on the day.

Senior Tyler Magann (Easton, Pa./The Hill School) made 15 saves in goal for the Red Devils.

Hjelm finished with four goals and one assist while Valliant tallied three scores. Kiley Norton (New Canaan, Conn./Loomis-Chaffee) won 10 face-offs and controlled five ground balls.

Sophomore Joe Banno (Monroe, Conn./Notre Dame) made 13 saves for Haverford (12-5).

The Red Devils finish the season 15-3 overall. Haverford will advance to the third round to face the winner of the Springfield/Salisbury game.