Offensive Stars in Malvern Prep’s 13-10 Win at Loyola Blakefield

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Malvern Prep (Pa.) entered this game as the undisputed No. 1 team in the country, while Loyola Blakefield (Md.) had been steadily climbing the ranks following their impressive win over Chaminade (N.Y.), having come into the season unranked. <br><br>Both teams' offenses displayed striking similarities, attacking the opposing team's shortsticks with precision and showcasing impressive ball movement. Ultimately, Malvern Prep once again proved why the Friars are the team to beat. Here's a look at the offensive players who shined:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["19765"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67db1dcbcc930"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Turley made life difficult for Loyola's defense, particularly their short-stick defensive midfielders. Even when Loyola knew it was time to send a slide, Turley always found a way to make them pay. His ability to pass and shoot with both hands was on full display. He finished with three goals and three assists, including one standout assist at the end of the second quarter. It started with another long dodge, but this time, Loyola's SSDM managed to push him down the alley, seemingly forcing him into a position where he couldn't do much damage. However, Turley skipped the ball past at least three defenders, despite having almost no angle, and found [player_tooltip player_id='23638' first='Danny' last='Lucovich'] sneaking the back pipe.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["14544"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67db1dcbcc9b0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Ortlieb started the game with an assist to Turley, but it came at a cost. Loyola's defender, [player_tooltip player_id='78393' first='Tyler' last='McCottry'], delivered a hard (but legal) slide that would make defensive coordinators smile. Those are the types of hits coaches love, as they can set the tone for the game. However, Ortlieb didn't let it affect his performance. The five-star attackman showcased his versatility by scoring in a variety of ways: in the hang-up game, from the island, and by cutting from the crease position. The highlight of Ortlieb's day came with a high-IQ off-ball cut and an underhand shovel finish. He finished with three goals and two assists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["23638"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67db1dcbcc9fa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='23638' first='Danny' last='Lucovich'] has a bright future ahead of him. He finished the day with a hat trick and an assist. His assist came off an endline play where he popped behind the cage and found Ortlieb cutting to the pipe. The rest of his points came from his off-ball movement. Lucovich excels at reading the back of his defender's helmet and cutting to the ball. This makes it difficult for any goalie to move pipe-to-pipe. His quick hands give him the ability to finish the ball with precision.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["81706"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67db1dcbcca3b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Finishing the day with a hat trick, Cook is a problem for opposing defenses. Off the ball, defenses better have a second slide ready. He scored twice when Malvern's defense wasn't prepared. On both goals, he quickly got the ball out of his stick with a smooth sidearm release. At the end of the second quarter, he found himself with a shortstick matchup behind the cage. Using his start-and-stop ability to his advantage, he scored with a jump shot over the SSDM. Malvern's man-up unit shut Cook off due to his scoring ability. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["126131"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-67db1dcbccb20"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">I came into the game having heard good things about Lewis from Ty Xanders, and the freshman stud didn't disappoint. Defenses are giving him a short stick for now, but that won't be for long. Loyola loves watching this kid dodge. On his first goal, he scored off a weave action while sweeping to his left hand. His second goal was similar, as he received a pass near the goal line and finished in the middle of the field. His release point is nearly impossible for goalies to read, as he hides the ball until it's too late to react. Lewis also recorded an assist to [player_tooltip player_id='81706' first='Bennett' last='Cook'], fading off the crease just as Malvern sent a slide. Lewis will be crucial for the future of Loyola lacrosse.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->