Philly Classic: Standouts Catching College Coaches’ Eyes

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — The inaugural Philly Classic, created by Shannon Smith and Colleen Magarity, was held on June 21 at The Proving Grounds in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. Over 70 college programs were in attendance, many of them top Division I teams, getting a firsthand look at the class of 2028, often regarded as one of the deepest recruiting classes in the sport's history. With all eyes on them, the rising juniors shined.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Justin Staggers with Prep Girls Lacrosse was on site all day. Here is the second batch of standout performers from the Philly Classic's debut.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["73800"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3f35749095d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Brooke Green can flat-out score at will, and that was on full display Sunday in front of a crowded complex of Division I coaches. She was one of the purest scorers I saw all weekend. Green is crafty with the ball, showing off finishes from multiple angles that looked unfair to defend. She had a nice hesitation dodge into a bouncer goal on one possession, followed by a low-angle sidearm laser the next time down. Her height and longer reach allow her to extend through traffic and get her shot off at angles that are essentially uncontestable.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["74324"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3db8c2b5776"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The Long Island Top Guns purple team finished 3-0 on Sunday, allowing just 13 goals across their three games, tied for the fewest of any club on Sunday. A lot of that credit can be given to Farrah Pollina, who forced key turnovers with a relentless and unwavering brand of physical defense on the ride. In one instance, she caught the goalie out of the crease with the ball and few options for a clear. In an extended effort in which Pollina simply would not be denied, she jarred the ball loose from the roaming keeper, secured it, and took it in for the uncontested goal. Pollina takes a ton of pressure off her defensive unit with her play on the short end of the field. And it was not just on the ride where Pollina was impactful — she also did an excellent job as an initiator in the offensive sets, making her a key piece of what was the best club on Sunday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["73494"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3c78317f0b1"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='73494' first='Lila' last='McGrath'], essentially playing in her backyard on Sunday, proved to be one of the most deceptive and elusive dodgers on the field. Far from a one-trick pony, McGrath's bag is deep, and she executes every dodge at a high level. She had a nasty split dodge that drew the slide up top as she dumped it off to a cutting teammate for the easy finish. She does an excellent job quickly switching hands on her split dodge, and paired with her explosive first step, it makes even the most disciplined defenders bite. McGrath also displayed next-level strength on Sunday, absorbing contact from her primary and slide defender while still delivering accurate feeds and well-placed shots.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["74179"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3db8c2b57d2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">From Melrose, Massachusetts, and representing the Laxachusetts club lacrosse team, Griffin MacDonald had a strong showing in Pennsylvania on Sunday. Working primarily from “X,” MacDonald showcased an impressive crease roll that she can pull out from either side with equal effectiveness. She does a nice job sealing her defender off on the roll and keeping her pivot tight as she comes around, limiting any chance at a defensive recovery. She is exceptionally crafty with her finishes, mixing up her shot selection on each crease roll she executes.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["74183"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-6a3fdbdddf717"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Emily Minahan, out of Chester, New Hampshire, and representing Granite Club Lacrosse, had a strong day between the pipes on Sunday. She does a nice job angling her body to the “X” attacker working behind the crease, regularly coming up with stuffs at GLE as a result. But what stood out most was how she handled herself after making saves. Minahan is as composed as they come, staying calm on the clear despite facing a relentless ride. She understands timing well, using her body to shield the ball from the riding attacker while keeping her stick protected, buying herself just enough time to clear safely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->