Inter-Ac Notebook (4/29)
Photos/Videos: Mike Livingston, Lennie Malmgren, Mike Nance, Marc Narducci, Ryan Nix & Jose Rincon Pena.
By: Marc Narducci
A truly impressive milestone for Penn Charter’s Michener
Last week Penn Charter senior attack Gavin Michener earned a major career milestone. With three goals in a 15-2 win over Germantown Academy, he ended the contest with exactly 200 career points.
He now has 203 points after earning a goal and two assists in Friday’s 10-4 loss to Haverford School.
For his career Michener began the week with 142 goals and 61 assists.
“Whenever something like that happens, especially in the Inter-Ac, where you are playing a tough schedule every year, it is definitely special to accomplish something like that,” Michener said. “It is not something a lot of guys do, and I don’t take something like this for granted.”
What has made it even more impressive is that like many prolific scorers, Michener, draws plenty of defensive attention. This year, it especially hasn’t been easy, as he has been the focal point of the opponent’s defense, and navigating through multiple defenders has been a common practice.
Still, he has been highly effective with 36 goals and 16 assists this year.
“As teams get more stout on me it becomes harder, but I think it’s also a good thing for my teammates,” he said. “It opens them up a little bit and stretches the field.”
Penn Charter senior attack Gavin Michener #9 - PSD Photo by Lennie Malmgren
Another reason the milestone is impressive is that Michener accomplished it mainly in three years. His freshman year he had six goals and three assists.
One reason for his success is that few people can shoot harder than the 6-foot, 175-pound Michener.
“I have the privilege that my coach gives me the green light to let it go,” he said. “Whenever I have a little bit of space, I like to shoot and get a shot off.”
Even if he misses the shot, his team will likely retain possession, so it’s a win-win situation when he shoots.
The fact that the milestone came against Germantown Academy, Penn Charter’s long-time rival, added to the accomplishment.
“I told the guys before the game that Penn Charter played its first athletic game vs. Germantown Academy in 1887,” Michener said. “There is a little more pride, especially when you consider the history between the two schools.”
As for choosing a college, Michener was looking to be a trailblazer of sorts.
In September of his junior year, like many top prospects, Michener, had several options. Many figured he would choose Villanova because his father, John played there, and his brother Colin is currently a member of the Wildcats.
“Going into September 1 (of 2022) I was thinking of taking a step away and taking my own path, but as soon as I saw my brother moved into Villanova, they treated him great,” Michener said.
Penn Charter senior Gavin Michener talks about his commitment to Villanova - PSD Video by Marc Narducci
Michener added that he also liked the vibe around the team, was impressed with the players and coaching staff and decided that it would be the best move for him.
So, he committed in September of his junior year to Villanova.
Michener has been able to enjoy most of the last two years, not dealing with the rigors of recruiting.
Besides playing lacrosse, he was a starting receiver and defensive back on the football team. He said he loved playing football and felt that the physicality of the sport helped him in lacrosse.
First-year Penn Charter coach Conor Resch has appreciated all Michener has brought to the team.
“As a player, the proof is on the field, he’s putting up some great numbers,” Resch said. “And more than that, he’s making guys around him work harder.”
The contributions away from the field have been just as important, according to Resch.
“I have been extremely lucky to have him this year because during the offseason, he was organizing everything,” Resch said. “Just getting guys out to turf facility to get some work in during the winter.”
It was almost like having another assistant coach.
“He was keeping in constant contact with the guys who were potentially going to play and being my recruiter boots on the ground,” Resch said. “Having him as a captain this year has been a big blessing.”
More on Penn Charter
In the aforementioned win over Germantown Academy, junior Casey Felter joined Michener by recording a hat trick. Junior Ben Zabierek, senior Zach Curtain and senior Lucas Weinstein each scored two goals. Senior James Joel (Sacred Heart University) had one goal, one assist and won 10 of 11 faceoffs. Freshman Chris Perricelli won 4 of 7 faceoffs. Also scoring goals were sophomore Mike Banks and senior Jevyn Dyer.
Murphy credits Haverford School teammates for making him better in goal
Some of the most difficult shots that Haverford School senior goalie Brody Murphy faces come in practice. When a team is nationally ranked, there is plenty of intense competition just to get on the field.
“Going to practice with all these amazing players who are going to do great things in college, it’s amazing,” said Murphy, a Richmond commit. “It’s also helpful to play against such good players because you’re getting better every day and it’s so helpful to have such good competition.”
This is Murphy’s second season as a starter for the defending Inter-Ac champs.
Haverford School senior goalie Brody Murphy #20 pictured in net - PSD Photo by Mike Nance
“Being a starter last year helped my confidence to be able to play all the games and it kind of prepared me for this and hopefully we will continue to have a good season,” Murphy said.
As for attending Richmond, it was a continuation of a family tradition for Murphy. His mother Samantha played lacrosse at Richmond and his brother Brendan is currently a senior with the Spiders.
“It’s just kind of in my family,” he said. “I love the school and the coaches are great and it felt like the right decision for me.”
Haverford School entered the week 6-0 in league play. On Thursday (May 2) the Fords will host Malvern Prep in a rematch between these nationally ranked teams. Haverford School won the first meeting, 10-8 at Malvern Prep on April 16.
“The intensity leading up to playing Malvern Prep, you can definitely feel it,” he said. “The adrenaline is like nothing else, it is really fun.”
Murphy had a big game in the first meeting with Malvern Prep, making 13 saves. It was just a continuation of what has been an extremely strong senior season.
More on Haverford School
In a 13-2 win at Episcopal Academy, freshman Conor Morsell had three goals and one assist. Senior Brady O’Kane (Brown) and junior Evan Large (Air Force Academy) each had two goals and one assist. Senior Jack Long (Michigan) had a goal and two assists. Classmate Aydan DiRocco (Naval Academy) and junior Max Fertels each had a goal and an assist.
Haverford School vs. Episcopal Academy - PSD Highlights by Marc Narducci
In Haverford School's 10-4 win over Penn Charter, Murphy had 10 saves and junior Colin Decker added three more. Junior Griff Meyer (Virginia) had seven ground balls. DiRocco and Long led the way, both with three goals and one assist, while O'Kane added a hat trick and senior Finn Lawrence (Boston U) provided three assists.
Malvern Prep keeps rolling
In Malvern Prep’s 17-8 win over Springside Chestnut Hill Academy, freshman Daniel Lucovich scored four goals. Junior Michael Ortlieb (Duke) added three goals and two assists. Junior John Bickel (Georgetown) had two goals and two assists, while junior Owen Mears (Duke) and senior Ennis Udo (Brown) each had two goals and one assist.
Malvern Prep then defeated Episcopal Academy, 13-2, as senior Hagen McTear (Dickinson) had three goals and two assists. Junior Logan Turley (Harvard) added two goals and three assists. Ortlieb also had two goals, along with an assist.
“The guys came out with great energy against a tough opponent,” Malvern Prep coach Matt Mackrides said. “I was thrilled with our offensive production and our stout defensive effort."
Malvern Prep vs. Episcopal Academy - PSD Highlight by Archbishop Carroll Jr. Reporter Mike Livingston
Mackrides also praised his two goalies. Heath Jones had 10 saves and Colby Weaver added three.
“Both Heath Jones and Colby Weaver played. extremely well between the pipes,” he said.
The Friars ended the week with a 14-6 win over the Academy of New Church, a highly successful program.
Udo and Mears led the way by each scoring a hat trick, while Ortlieb contributed one goal and three assists.
SCH Update
In that 17-8 loss to Malvern Prep, senior Stevie Pileggi (St. Joseph’s University) scored a hat trick. Senior Alec Tulio (Drexel) contributed two goals and three assists. Sophomore Zach Silverman also scored twice.
Senior Hayes Schreiner (Penn State) made 17 saves and sophomore Henry Bertelsen was 13-of-26 on faceoffs with seven ground balls.
Bertelsen was 10-for-10 on faceoffs with six ground balls in SCH’s 16-2 win over Germantown Academy. Pileggi and junior Cole Carberry scored hat tricks. Senior Finn Dougherty (Fairfield) had two goals, two assists and was 3-for-3 on faceoffs.
Springside Chestnut Hill senior Stevie Pileggi #14 - PSD Photo by Jose Rincon Pena
The most difficult of weeks for EA
Nobody had a tougher week than Episcopal Academy. The Churchmen had to face the top two teams, Haverford School and Malvern Prep in successive games.
Both games ended in 13-2 losses. That dropped Episcopal Academy’s Inter-Ac record to 3-3, with the other loss to Malvern Prep.
In the loss to Haverford School, the goals scorers were senior Jake Manion and Brody Garrison. Junior Blake Riley had an assist and was 7-of-12 on faceoffs, while Garrett Hickey was 4-of-7 on faceoffs. Sophomore Rees Piontek had three ground ball and two caused turnovers while David Brickman added three ground balls and one caused turnover, while senior Jack Guido (Mercer University) made 11 saves.
Episcopal Academy vs. Haverford School - PSD Gallery by Ryan Nix
Against Malvern Prep, both EA goals were scored by sophomore Keegan Nash, with Garrison earning an assist, while senior Joe Bogle (Villanova) had three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Guido made 10 saves.