PIAA 3A 1st Round: Manheim Twp. Downs Mt. Lebanon

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Tuesday night WPIAL powerhouse Mt. Lebanon traveled east on the Pennsylvania Turnpike to take on District 3 champion Manheim Township in the 1^st Round of the PIAA 3A state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 1^st quarter of this contest was a well-played, back and forth stanza the ended tied a 2-2. Then in the 2^nd quarter things, got a little chaotic. Mt. Lebanon committed a string of penalties in the 2^nd quarter that provided Manheim with several man up opportunities. Manheim capitalized on those EMOs as Ellis Vorhis-Witmer, Jackson Mine and Joe Algeo all found the back of the net during that stretch. That scoring burst provided Manheim Township with a 6-2 lead.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the second half, Mt. Lebanon never got closer than two goals and Manheim Township eventually took home the 10-6 win. With the victory, Manheim Township advanced to the second round of the 3A tournament where they will face District 6 champion State College. &nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below is a review of the prospects who played outstanding lacrosse during the PIAA 3A state tournament 1^st Round game between Mt. Lebanon and Manheim Township.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Manheim Township</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["142308"],"_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-6a20b8801e6e4"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This season Fletcher posted 53 goals to go along with 19 dimes. Thus, it should not come as a surprise that he stuffed the stat book 2 goals and 2 assists in Manheim's win. Fletcher posted those stats despite extra attention from Mt. Lebanon's defensive unit in the form of double teams and early slides. Fletcher is an extraordinarily athletic offensive prospect with an explosive first step and filthy stick skills. His first goal was a thing of beauty. On that play, Fetcher executed a nasty split dodge to his right, dashed down the alley and then ripped a shot near side, just over the goalie's shoulder. Fletcher's ability to absorb double teams and then move the rock to an open teammate was impressive too. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["178160"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":178194,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a20badcdfd1b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Meglic had a major impact in this game at the offensive end for Manheim as he netted four goals. The trifecta of Meglic's speed, off-ball movements and polished stick skills gave Mt. Lebanon's defense fits. On his goal in the 2^nd quarter, Meglic made a crafty C-cut from the crease area to the middle of the field, received a pass and then cranked a right-handed, 15-yard shot into the net. In this game Meglic also proved he could finish in close despite significant contact. Meglic is committed to Mount St. Vincent (D3) and that coaching staff has landed a hidden gem.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175725"],"_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-6a20badcdfdce"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Nothing wreaks havoc on an opposing team like a two-way midfielder with elite speed, refined stick skills and a high IQ.That's exactly how I would describe Vorhis-Whitmer as a player and his impact on this game for Manheim was incredible. Vorhis-Whitmer posted one goal and an assist, but the stat book doesn't come close to telling the whole story. Vorhis-Whitmer was a ground ball machine at both ends of the field. On defense, once Vorhis-Whitmer had secured possession, he pushed Manheim's transition game. He also served as a swift, one-man clear after saves or restarts. In 6v6 offensive action, Vorhis-Whitmer repeatedly beat his man with by a quick burst which forced Mt. Lebanon's defense to slide to him early and often. His slick stick skills and field vision produced several smooth passes off those dodges. Vorhis-Whitmer is committed to Kean University (D3).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Mt. Lebanon</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["178186"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":178195,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a20badcdfe7d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Bilec proved to be an intriguing offensive prospect with a well-round skill set and excellent instincts. He operated as a shifty attack during the game, but Bilec also flashed that he could invert and operate as a midfielder too. His explosive first step and change of direction moves caused matchup issues for Manheim's defensive unit. On Tuesday night, Bilec recorded one goal and one assist. His goal came in the 2^nd quarter via a lefty rip from 12-yards out. Bilec's quick release and precise placement made that shot impossible to stop.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["178162"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":["override_image"],"_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":178196,"_player_evaluations_0_player_featured_image":"field_62f141137ead9","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-6a20badcdff2c"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Paul initially caught my attention on a play in the 1^st quarter where he received a pass at midfield, turned and sprinted into the offensive end, leaving opposing players in his dust. Once he got below the restraining line, Paul reached back and hammered a 10-yard shot into the net. Throughout the rest of the game, Paul's work at the defensive end of the field was impressive. His speed and active stick enabled him to harass ball carriers for long stretches. Eventually, Paul used a timely slap or poke to cause a turnover. On the backend, Paul's slides and double teams were on point. He also did a fantastic job of navigating around or over screens.     </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->