By Tom Peace
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/18/16
BALTIMORE – Malvern Prep scored eight straight goals in an amazing rally and claimed an 11-9 victory tonight over Loyola Blakefield (MD) in a sizzling Philly-Baltimore matchup at Johns Hopkins’ Homewood Field.
Malvern Preo’s Jack Traynor
Loyola – which on Tuesday knocked off Malvern’s Inter-Ac League rival and No. 2 ranked Haverford School – held an 8-3 lead in the fourth period before face-off specialist Sean Christman (20 of 24 draws) helped the Friars own the possessions to spark the comeback.
Malvern Prep, ranked No. 10 in the C2C North America Rankings, improved to 3-0. The Dons fell to 1-1.
“We overcame everything and Sean Christman (13 of 14 FO in second half) helped us out a lot getting us the ball on the offensive end,” said Malvern 2018 attackman Jack Traynor (Penn State commit), who had two goals. “We worked hard and stopped turning the ball over.”
Loyola led, 7-3, after three periods and got a tally from Brendan Doyle to make it 8-3 early in the fourth. But Kyle Anderson (four goals, one assist), A.J. Tranor (three goals), Coyle (two goals, two assists) and Anderson scored to make it 8-7. A.J. Traynor soon tied it and then put his team up, 9-8, with 4:19 to play. Jack Traynor and Anderson then finished the run to make it 11-8.
“We definitely turned it on in the second half,” said Jack Traynor. “It was turnovers int he first half that kept us behind.”
Jack Traynor said the Friars need to remain focused on the next opponent – which is another MIAA power, Calvert Hall (ranked No. 6), Tuesday at home.
“We have a big game Tuesday against Calvert Hall and hopefully we can keep it going heading into the Inter-Ac League schedule,” Traynor said.
Malvern Prep coach John McEvoy said his team cleaned up its game in the second half.
“We knew we had to start working better on clears and in taking care of the ball,” he said.
McEvoy also credited 2016 attackman Anderson – a Harvard grad who missed all of last year with an ACL tear – for helping in the comeback.
“He is a scoring machine and is fearless across the middle,” McEvoy said. “The best thing is he was getting groundballs. It’s awesome having him back. It’s also nice having Jarrett Donaghy (Franklin & Marshall grad) back, he’s another senior who is a stabilizing force at D-middie.”
Loyola Blakefield’s first-year coach, Ben Rubeor, blamed himself for the loss and noted that his team also struggled in the fourth period vs. Haverford School.
“We have had two poor finishes; I don’t think the last two games I’ve done a good enough job to finish the game,” he said. “I think our mistakes early in the game could have been cleaned up with simply a little more focus and I think that cost us late in the game.
“I think we have to get in a little better shape and I think we have got to play smarter.”
Malvern Prep 11, Loyola Blakefield 9
MP – 1-2-0-8 – 11
LB – 1-6-1-1 – 9
Malvern Prep
Adam Goldner – 2a
Kyle Anderson – 4g, 1a
Billy Coyle – 2g, 2a
AJ Traynor – 3g
Michael Fay – 1a
Jack Traynor – 2g
Jimmy Gabrielsen – 1a
Sean Christman – 1a, 20 of 24 FO
Andrew Clark – 7 Saves
Loyola Blakefield
Nick Goles 2g
Cole Williams 3g, 1a
Brendan Doyle 2g
Colin Clothier 1g, 2a
Nate Leisher 1g, 1a
Robbie Olson 1a
Jake Stout 4 saves