Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/16/16
Philadelphia’s Mesa Fresh 2018 team completed very impressive back-to-back weekends, going 3-0 at Quaker Lax Fest at Radnor High School and 3-0 at the NLF Big4 Champions League challenge at The Hill School. Both tournaments are nationally recognized and attracted over 40 elite travel teams from across the county.
Mesa Fresh 2018 posted wins last weekend at the NLF Big4 Champions league challenge against National powerhouses – Long Island Express North, Edge Canada and Laxachusetts.
The team went 3-0 the previous Sunday at Quaker Lax Fest against the same caliber with wins over NXT, LI Sting and Team 18 Colorado.
Mesa Fresh was dominant over both weekends scoring 53 goals while letting in only 25.
Mesa Fresh 2018 attackmen were small in numbers but big in production and led by Luke O’Grady (Haverford School, Providence College commit), Jack Traynor (Malvern Prep, PSU), Tim Carlson (Haverford School) and Seamus Glynn (Malvern Prep, PSU).
Two way Midfielder standouts were Cam Battisti (Malvern Prep), Dalton Pascale (Malvern Prep, Richmond), Tate Kienzle (Conestoga), Jimmy Gabrielsen (Malvern Prep, Villanova), Will Ciccarelli (Unionville, Providence College), Jeff Conner (Strath Haven, St. Josephs U), Jack Earley (Council Rock North), Jack Denious (Haverford School), Jordan Donaghy (Malvern Prep, PSU) and faceoff/multipurpose man Sean Bailey (Conestoga).
Defense was led by Michael O’Grady (Roxbury Latin-MA, Providence College), Dan Jordon (La Salle, Penn), Ed King (Haverford School), Harrison Naughton (Malvern Prep), Sam Sweeney (Malvern Prep), Will Drake (Shipley School), Jack Coogan (St. Joxseph’s Prep) and Ryan Bailey (Conestoga).
Outstanding performances were delivered both weekends by Goalies Will Brake (Strath Haven, Dartmouth) and Jason Rose (Garnet Valley, Air Force). Goalie fill in Matt Wall (Methacton), a 2019 was a wall at the Big4 Champions tourney.
“We really came together nicely this fall,” said Defensive Head Coach Paul O’Grady.
“This team is made up of talented student athletes representing 11 different Philly area High Schools and they still play as a team. We are very proud of that,” said Offensive Head Coach Scott Gabrielsen.
The High Schools represented include Council Rock, Conestoga, Garnet Valley, Haverford School, La Salle College HS, Malvern Prep, Roxbury Latin School, Strath Haven, St. Joe’s Prep, Shipley School and Unionville.