By Bradley Schlegel
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/1/15
Garnet Valley 2019 Regan Nealon lined up at unusual position Sunday at the Girls Philly Showcase. But her aggressive nature allowed her to excel.
Nealon relied on an offensive mindset to earn Most Valuable Player honors with Episcopal Academy 2019 midfielder Olivia Dirks during the morning session of the NXT Showcase at Westtown School.
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Garnet Valley 2019 Regan Nealon
Nealon normally plays attack for Garnet Valley, but she lined at Sunday at midfield. She even played some defense.
“I learned that this is a team game, and on defense you’ve got to communicate a lot,” said Nealon, who plays for the Phantastix. “Sometimes you have to go down the field by yourself.”
Click here for the Fab 40 teams
Nealon also answered these questions:
What goals did you have today and what do you feel you accomplished?
Nealon: “My goal was to get to the Fabulous 40. I’m pretty excited I was named an MVP. I really wasn’t expect it at all.”
How was the competition and what did you do to adjust to the level?
Nealon: “The competition was good. Everyone was very talented. I had to play more going to goal than I usually do, and play faster.”
What are you looking for in a college, athletically and academically?
Nealon: “I definitely want to go to a Division I college. I want to do something with kids, but I’m not sure yet. It might be teaching.”
Olivia Dirks, Episcopal Academy, 2019 Midfielder, Mesa/Phantastix
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Episcopal Academy 2019 Olivia Dirks
What goals did you have today and what do you feel you accomplished?
Dirks: “I knew going into this would there would an MVP and the Fab 40. I worked my hardest to achieve both of those goals.”
How was the competition and what did you do to adjust to the level?
Dirks: “The competition was great. I had to be a little more aggressive and hustle a lot more. All my hard work paid off in the end.”
What are you looking for in a college, athletically and academically?
Dirk: “I definitely want to play lacrosse in college, ideally at Division I. I really want to be a doctor.”
What did you learn from the event that you can utilize the rest of the fall and the spring season?
Dirks: “I learned that working hard always paid off in the end. You’ve got to work your hardest in a showcase like this.”
More coverage to come on the Girls Philly Showcase: Fab 40 players from around the East Coast; and a New York City sophomore earns Fab 40 honors
