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.

This stock-rising 2028 offensive prospect had already registered eight goals and five assists across MP’s first five wins of the season. Murphy’s scoring ways continued last night as he notched another two goals in this win. His first tally was a smooth catch-and-shoot play from the high crease area as Murphy fired a low-to-low snipe past La Salle’s goalie. Murphy’s second goal came in the late 4^th quarter and served as the dagger for MP. On that score, Murphy received a slick diagonal skip pass from midfielder Conor McCarthy Conor McCarthy 6'0" | 175 lbs | M | Left Hand Malvern Prep | 2027 PA and then cranked a shot from the wing into the net. In addition to the quick release and precise aim on his shot, Murphy impressed with the hustle he displayed on several chases and GB pickups. Murphy’s field awareness and crafty off-ball movements are well beyond his years.   

Murphy saw significant playing time for the Friars last season and ultimately carved out a sizable role, an impressive feat considering how senior-heavy the roster was. On Tuesday, the promising young left-hander had the ball in his stick far more often than he did a year ago (as expected) and finished with two goals, though it certainly could have been more. With the game tied at three midway through the second quarter, Murphy came off a high pick and ripped a 15-yard shot that the goalie had no chance of stopping. Then, with about six minutes remaining, he delivered a fantastic finish, faking multiple times before burying a close-range opportunity off a feed from Danny Lucovich Danny Lucovich 6'0" | 175 lbs | A/M | Right Hand Malvern Prep | 2027 #31 Nation PA . The goal proved to be crucial, giving the Friars a 9–8 lead. As mentioned in previous write-ups, Murphy has an outstanding feel for the game, which makes sense given the fact that he’s the son of longtime Penn coach Mike Murphy, who joined Malvern’s staff for the 2026 season. There’s little doubt he’ll be one of the most sought-after offensive prospects in the Class of 2028.

Joey Murphy scored 36 points (22 goals & 14 assists) as a freshman starter in 2025, an accomplishment that carries added weight given the Friars’ relentless national schedule. Earning meaningful minutes for Malvern as a ninth-grader is atypical; producing at that level against top-tier competition is even more eye-popping. Joey played his way onto the All-Tournament Team at the New Balance All-American Underclass event this past summer, further validating his early impact on a national stage. Offensively, he operates with a calm, almost nonchalant rhythm — a clear example of slow is smooth, smooth is fast. Murphy is far from a one-move dodger, capable of chaining together bull, split, roll, & face dodges, often re-dodging with purpose rather than forcing the issue. A left-handed attackman/middie with strong vision, Murphy consistently finds cutters on the inside while remaining a legitimate scoring threat from anywhere on the left side — wing, low base, or box corner. Defenses that overplay his left are quickly surprised, as he’s comfortable getting down the hash & ripping it right-handed. Joey shows a willingness to compete on the defensive end in small spurts, scrapping in unsettled situations, an encouraging sign at this stage of his development. Murphy is still very much at the beginning of his trajectory, revealing the scratching of the surface with his long-term potential. He is surely already on the radar of top programs. College coaches cannot initiate direct recruiting contact until September 1, 2026, making this next season about continued growth rather than exposure.

The son of the all-time winningest coach in Penn lacrosse history, Murphy didn’t just get his feet wet at the varsity level on a roster loaded with veteran talent. A slick lefty, Murphy ultimately seized a starting role and ended the 2025 season with 22 goals and 14 assists in largely an off-ball finishing role. He’s everything you’d expect from a player with his bloodlines and then some, possessing an innate feel for the game and never failing to make the right play. Murphy’s feet, hands, and vision are rather ridiculous: he’s constantly making defenders miss with his jitterbug tendencies with the ball in his stick and putting feeds right on his teammates’ earholes as a passer. However, he doesn’t need the ball to be productive, and although I’d imagine that was a skill he already possessed, but one that grew last spring with Malvern. If Sunday served as any indication, there’s no doubt that Murphy looks poised to take on a much more significant role within the Friars’ offense.