Nevada Playoffs: Defensive Standouts From the Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this article, I feature five of the top defensive players that I evaluated between the Faith Lutheran vs. Cougars matchup and the Spanish Springs vs. Truckee North Tahoe matchup. All five of these players were game changers for their respective teams.<br></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["125267"],"_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-69fe39a47231c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='125267' first='Hudson' last='Pavicich'] was a duel threat for the Crusaders on Tuesday night. He played with determination and grit throughout the contest. On offense, he helped push the pace. Dishing out one assist. While also contributing a goal by being in the right place at the right time. On the other end of the field, he was hounding opponents and delivering well timed checks. Look for him to be a potential difference maker in the LVLA Championship tonight. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["177084"],"_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-69fe39a472374"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='177084' first='Jett' last='Piercy'] faced a flurry of shots in a very high-scoring game. Despite the volume, he still made some big saves when Faith needed one, and he made outlet passes to his LSMs and middies who were streaking up the field. Piercy stayed composed under pressure and continued battling throughout the contest. His ability to come up with stops and quickly spark transition helped keep the Crusaders in rhythm.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["176510"],"_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-69fe39a4723e7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='176510' first='DJ' last='Rogers'] had a few highlight-reel-worthy plays in the Cougars' close loss. He didn't give opponents much room to operate, and he utilized his strength to fully dislodge his matchup's stick on one of his checks. He also fought hard for loose ground balls and hit his middies when the Cougars were clearing. Expect him to be a West Coast defender/LSM with a chance to turn heads this summer, especially with the physicality and energy he brings on the defensive end.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["177085"],"_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-69fe39a472420"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='177085' first='Roman' last='Cervantes'] (pictured) stands at about 6'2" and did a great job of tracking where shots were coming from against Truckee North Tahoe. He makes clean saves as well, which can help him when looking to clear. In addition to his stout play in the net, he used his wheels to run out missed shots and advanced the ball a bit himself.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["177087"],"_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-69fe39a472457"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='177087' first='Kai' last='Watanabe'] is an athletic defender who covers ground at a rapid rate. He has real lateral quickness that helps him stay in front of his matchup, and he pesters their hands relentlessly with poke checks. Watanabe is also capable of pushing a guy off his line if he's looking to get downhill. Beyond his defense, he is an asset when Spanish Springs is looking to advance the ball to its offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->