Standouts From PAISAA State Tournament Semifinals

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Tuesday night, the Pellegrini Complex at Malvern Prep hosted the PAISAA state tournament semifinals double header. In Game 1, No. 3 seed Episcopal Academy took on No. 2 seed Haverford School. In the night cap, No. 4 seed Hill School faced No. 1 seed Malvern Prep.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a quick recap and a few standouts from each of the PAISAA semifinal contests.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Episcopal Academy vs. Haverford School&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the first semifinal of the night, a tightly contested first quarter ended in a 3-2 Haverford School lead. Haverford's [player_tooltip player_id='24324' first='Finn' last='French'] (Duke) found the back of the net twice, and Braiden DeLacy (Bowdoin) added a goal. Episcopal stars [player_tooltip player_id='45374' first='Jackson' last='Orcutt'] (UNC) and [player_tooltip player_id='16060' first='Keegan' last='Nash'] (Rutgers) each scored in the opening quarter. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second quarter, Haverford's offense started cooking as it scored four straight goals in that stanza. [player_tooltip player_id='142367' first='Sam' last='O'Kane'] started that blitz with a coast-to-coast transition goal. Then, French ripped a running left-hander into the top corner to complete his first half hat trick. The Fords also received 2^nd quarter goals from [player_tooltip player_id='23606' first='Conor' last='Morsell'] (Notre Dame) as well as [player_tooltip player_id='171276' first='Danny' last='Kinnard'] (High Point), with that scoring blitz giving Haverford a 7-3 lead at halftime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the early 3^rd quarter, Haverford's [player_tooltip player_id='123281' first='Jack' last='Rischitelli'] (Trinity) pumped one home, and the Fords extended their lead to 8-3. That's when Episcopal started its push. EA's [player_tooltip player_id='175058' first='Brody' last='Garrison'] (Fairfield) and [player_tooltip player_id='40420' first='Parker' last='Smith'] (Villanova) scored goals within 30 seconds of each other. Then Smith struck again at the end of the third quarter, with his second tally, pulling EA to within 9-6.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>During the 4^th quarter, the teams traded a flurry of goals, and eventually Haverford took a 12-8 lead. EA made one last surge as they used goals by Orcutt and Smith to slash the lead to 12-10 with two minutes remaining. But EA's comeback attempt ran out of time, and Haverford punched their ticket to the championship game with a 12-10 victory.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of prospects who impressed during the Episcopal Academy vs. Haverford School PAISAA semifinal game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24324"],"_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-6a0e42ac670c9"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">French posted a hat trick in the first half of this game. Two of those goals came via impressive rips from long distance. French did an incredible job of using quick changes of direction moves to find open space so he could fire on net. Another item that popped for French in this win was the hustle and aggressive stick he displayed during a handful of contested ground ball pickups. His relentless pursuit of GBs saved a couple of Haverford possessions. Once this Duke signee had secured possession, he was extremely poised and made smart decisions with the rock.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["45374"],"_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-6a0e42ac67144"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Orcutt's size, speed, and precise shooting skills were on display again last night. He scored two impressive individual effort goals in this contest. On both tallies, Orcutt charged through traffic as well as stick checks and then cranked a shot into the net while on the run. As a bonus to his elite offensive skills, Orcutt also dropped back on defense and played a physical brand of SSDM. This UNC commit showed remarkable open field speed as well as smooth change of direction moves on a couple of clearing runs.     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["123281"],"_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-6a0e42ac67198"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Rischitelli flashed a versatile offensive skill set in this win as he posted two goals and dished out two assists. The field vision and timing Rischitelli displayed on his dimes was next level. He was a willing distributor who did not hesitate to make the extra pass. In the 3^rd quarter, Rischitelli netted a beautiful goal as he cranked a 12-yard overhand shot into the net. The coaching staff at Trinity will love the high IQ off-ball movements Rischitelli showcased on Tuesday night. Rischitelli demonstrated the athleticism and stick skills to run at both attack and midfield.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Hill School vs. Malvern Prep</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second game of this PAISAA double header, Malvern Prep jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on a pair of goals by [player_tooltip player_id='121320' first='Jamie' last='McCracken'] (Brown). But Hill managed to find their footing thanks to goals by Lucas Miles (Swarthmore) and Notre Dame signee [player_tooltip player_id='35704' first='Jace' last='Banks']. The two teams traded goals for a stretch, and with three and a half minutes remaining in the 2^nd quarter, Malvern led 5-3.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>That's when Malvern took control of the game. A smooth catch and finish goal by [player_tooltip player_id='176906' first='Tommy' last='Onderdonk'] triggered a run of five straight goals by MP that closed the first half and then extended deep into the 3^rd quarter. That barrage of goals provided the Friars with a commanding 10-3 lead. Sophomore standout [player_tooltip player_id='170717' first='Joey' last='Murphy'] found the back of the net three times in that span for MP.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>At the end of the 3^rd quarter, a 15-yard snipe from Hill's [player_tooltip player_id='166443' first='Sawyer' last='Smith'] (Hobart commit) temporarily stopped the bleeding and pulled Hill to within 10-4. But that was as close as the Blues would get, because less than a minute later, a goal by Malvern's Nick Riely ended their comeback hopes. Malvern Prep went on to win this PAISAA semifinal, 13-7. The Friars' victory set up a rematch of the 2025 PAISAA championship game with Haverford School.   </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of prospects who impressed during the Hill School at Malvern Prep PAISAA semifinal game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["170717"],"_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-6a0e42ac671eb"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">On Tuesday night, this sophomore lefty attack poured in four goals and showcased his well-rounded skill set. Murphy's polished stick skills enabled him to find the back of the net in a variety of ways. He scored via close-in finishes on the fast break as well as catch-and-fire opportunities from GLE. Murphy also proved he could score on the run and coming off cuts to the crease for catch and dunk goals. Murphy's most impressive scoring effort of the night came when he initiated from behind the cage and pushed up the hash mark. Once he got above GLE, Murphy used a spin move to separate from his defender, then stopped and fired an overhand into the top of the net. College coaches will love the field awareness and timely off-ball movements Murphy displayed against Hill.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["71563"],"_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-6a0e42ac67239"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Novak was recently named the MVP of the Inter-Ac, and after watching his performance on Tuesday night, it is easy to see why he garnered that award. This athletic and technically sound close defender was a major reason that Malvern was able to stifle Hill's offense. Novak was a menacing on-ball presence who used his active stick and smooth lateral footwork to force Hill's offensive players into ill-advised shots. Additionally, this Notre Dame commit did a tremendous job of using his physicality to push ball carriers off their intended paths. Plus, Novak executed several difficult ground ball pickups in traffic. His slides and switches were on point, too.       </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24577"],"_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-6a0e42ac67287"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Riely is a feared offensive midfielder, and on Tuesday, he showed that side of his skill set by scoring two goals and handing out three assists. His ability to get downhill in a flash and then shoot or distribute on the run was remarkable. Still, what impressed the most about Riely in this game was his two-way skills. Numerous times on Tuesday night, Riely stayed on the field during 6v6 action and played SSDM at an extremely respectable level. Riley's speed and physicality enabled him to apply constant pressure on Hill's ball carriers. On several occasions, Riley sprinted back into the defensive end to slow down or stop fast breaks by Hill. Riley also showed fantastic scoop and go skills on a couple of clears that led to transition opportunities for MP.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->