By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 5/3/13
MALVERN Pa. – Tommy O’Connor and Joey Carlini led a balanced attack with two goals and an assist each, Charles Kelly dominated at the face-off X and Matt Barrett made 18 saves to help host Malvern Prep topple Episcopal Academy, 11-5, today in a key Inter-Ac League boys’ game.
The Friars (12-1 overall, 6-1 league) drew even with EA (13-4), 7-1) in the loss column atop the Inter-Ac and prevented the Churchmen from clinching a tie for their first league crown since 1998.
The win also snapped EA’s 12-game win streak in this battle of two Philly powers. EA is ranked No. 10 by TopLaxRecruits.com and No. 8 by Inside Lacrosse; Malvern is ranked No. 13 by TopLaxRecruits.com and No. 11 by IL.
EA was led by Trupert Ortlieb, who had two goals and an assist.
The Friars bolted to a 3-0 lead in the first 2:42 of the game and never allowed the Churchmen to get closer than two goals in the first half or three goals in the second half.
Kelly was a force at the X, winning 15 of 20 draws. hris Hilburn each had two goals for the Friars, who avenged an 8-7 overtime loss to EA on April 16.
“We let the first game against them get away,” said O’Connor. “We came looking to prove ourselves. We knew we had to win; we capitalized on our opportunities.”
Malvern Prep led 5-2 at halftime and 8-4 after three periods.
“The defense played great,” said Barrett. “They kept them (EA players) outside where I could see them (the shots), so they weren’t hard to stop. It’s a huge win for us and now we have to refocus for Haverford (Tuesday, away).”
Added Malvern coach John McEvoy: “We blew it again them last time and learned a lot of lessons. We were highly motivated, but now we have an even bigger game Tuesday against Haverford.”
EA will look to rebound Tuesday at home against Penn Charter.
“We got out-coached, out-played, out-worked and out-hustled – all of them,” said EA coach Andy Hayes. “They were way better than us.
“They came out strong and we didn’t match their intensity. Now we have to regroup against Penn Charter (home, Tuesday).”
Malvern Prep 11, Episcopal Academy 5
Malvern Prep 4-1-3-3 – 11
Episcopal Ac. 1-1-2-1- 5
Malvern Prep
Tommy O’Connor 2g, 1a
Joe Dunn 2g
Joey Carlini 2g, 1a
Chris Hilburn 2g
Kevin McGeary 1g, 1a
Gavin Weaver 1a
Connor Glancy 1g
Ryan Hilburn 1a
Eddie McLoughlin 1g
Matt Barrett 18 saves
Charles Kelly 15 of 20 FO
Episcopal Academy
Tyler Chamber 1g, 2a
Peter Gayhardt 1g
Curtis Zappala 1g
Tripert Ortlieb 2g, 1a
Colin Reder 10 saves