On Thursday, May 1st, two of the country’s premier lacrosse programs will go head to head in an “under the lights” matchup that will go down in history. Here’s everything you need to know to set the stage for this battle of the titans.
On April 15th, Malvern played Haverford in their first matchup of the year, the first of two against these powerhouses, with the second, of course, being at Malvern. What’s so special about this matchup? The answer lies in the teams’ deeply rooted rivalry, which has grown in scale over the past decade and gained national media coverage in Inside Lacrosse, The National Lacrosse Federation, and USA Lacrosse Magazine.
Another reason this matchup is so special is that it’s a national matchup, with Haverford ranked 14th nationally (as of April 17th) and Malvern ranked 11th.
Malvern has a swift team. They capitalize on fast breaks from defense to offense to catch their opponents off guard. Malven also has a wide range of seasoned veteran seniors and up-and-coming first-year students on its team. Some notable players include #9 Michael Ortlieb, a 5-star senior attackman committed to Duke University. Standing 6’, 160 pounds, Ortlieb is one of Malvern’s best offensive players, scoring 49 goals and 25 assists last year.
Another notable player is Ortlieb’s partner in crime, Owen Mears. Mears, a 4-star recruit also committed to Duke University, wearing number 3, weighing in at 195 pounds, standing 6’ 2”. He scored 30 goals last year. When paired with Ortlieb, this tag-team can be a real threat to any team they face.
Another significant player for the Friars is Malvern’s clutch gene, Jake Bickel, #17. During Malvern’s previous encounter with Haverford, he scored four goals and two assists; he also scored the winning goal in overtime. Bickel is committed to Georgetown University.
To combat offensive pushes from Bickel, Ortlieb, and Mears, Malvern’s opponent must have a battle-tested, strong defense. Luckily, this is Haverford’s specialty.
With a stunning 20-save game, the 6’ Sixth Former Jacob Abraham played a vital role in attempting to slow Malvern’s aggressive offense.
With reputation, national playoff seeding, and ranking on the line, these elite talents must work until the final whistle is blown.
Another player who plays a critical part in slowing Malvern is Haverford’s 5-star Army commit, Sixth Form defenseman Gavin Cooper. Ranked 10th nationally, weighing 210 lbs, and standing 6 ‘1”, Cooper is a physical and versatile player. He is not afraid to use his stick to rattle offensive men.
Another notable player who helps Haverford with scoring is 6’ Rutgers commit, Sixth Former Evan Large. Large, a 2× Under Armour All-American, brings speed essential for a fast break to catch Malvern off guard. Haverford also has a strong Fourth Form class, with two other notable offensive contributors, #40 Chris Burnetta and #41 Conor Morsell.
With reputation, national playoff seeding, and ranking on the line, these elite talents must work until the final whistle is blown. Every player must fight to deliver their team to a win and bring glory to their program, reputation, and student body.
