Here at Laxbros.net, we are starting with PLL but want to watch at least one game in person for every program in the Philadelphia area.

Our quest started with a gloomy early April day as the nationally ranked Saint Joseph's Hawks hosted the Hobart Statesmen from upstate NY. The temps were in the low 40s, and sitting on cold benches didn't help. But the campus was beautiful, with cherry blossoms straining against the wind to bud. Sweeney Field is inside the campus, an excellent environment to watch a college lacrosse game. We had hot chocolate, umbrellas, blankets, and, most importantly, a reason to be there. (Editor's Note: Actually, we had none of those things, only a damp roll of paper towels. But the tailgating parents for Senior Day were impressively prepared).

Saint Joe's has a reputation in the area as a basketball powerhouse, but fans turn out whenever there's a nationally ranked team in any sport. We walked down during warmups with music blaring. On the surface, the PLL lax bros were there to scout senior Levi Verch, projected as a first-rounder in recent PLL mock drafts. Verch is 6'2", 219, from Victoria, British Columbia (Claremont Secondary) and wears number 60. Last year, the PLL drafted another Canadian Hawk named Levi: two-way midfielder Levi Anderson from Calgary. Anderson is an ascending player, and his performance has more eyes on a Hawks program that isn't as well-storied as others in the area.

As for Hobart, they had a heyday as a Division III powerhouse, winning 16 total national titles. They wear cool Clemson colors in orange and purple. But the program is more of a mid-to-low tier D1 program, especially compared to ranked St. Joe's. Hobart hasn't won any conference games.

Did I mention that DraftKings had STJ -7.5? After all, am I not a gentleman? How many PLL prospects does Hobart have? Zero. Let's make it interesting. These Hawks should be able to fly despite the lousy weather. Two units on the Hawks, please, and thank you.

Both anthems played, my bleacher seat got a cursory wipedown, and we were off and running. The field proved slippery in the mist, and the players took a few minutes to get used to the surface. St. Joe's employed an aggressive ten-man ride, and the bench-plus-student section screamed as loud as they could to distract Hobart from the clear.

It didn't take long before the talent difference between these two squads became apparent.

Verch put in a professional effort: 1 assist, 1 caused turnover, and five ground balls. He moves well and locks down his assignment. There was one point where he could have pulled the trigger on a fast break, but without a two-point line in college, the smarter play is to pass it around. He's smart. There should be a two-point line in college. Verch is an unselfish ground ball vacuum with speed and checks for days. I doubt he goes top 5, but it's easy to see the appeal as an LSM. Off the field, Verch has high character. Verch is up for an Allstate NADCA Good Works award for his volunteer jobs working with local youth lacrosse leagues. Just an all around good dude, from the sounds of it. With crazy helmet lettuce. 

Other players who stood out:

#3 A Richie LaCalandra (5-11, 177 - Grad. Student, Comsewogue). A transfer from LIU, this dude was everywhere. Anytime the offense needed settling, there was number 3. He has 46 points in 11 games, including eight against Hobart. Richie, Richie Richie (but what about Bob?) We didn't go there looking to scout any attackmen, but sometimes a player shows up, and you can't ignore him. I don't know his value; perhaps a late rounder? An undrafted free agent? A box player? There's no doubt he can play. For his performance, LaCalandra won Atlantic 10 Under Armour Offensive Player of the Week.

#14 SSDM Christian Marchini (6-3, 193 - Junior, Spring-Ford). This two-way player was extremely fast, strong, and sticky. We're tracking a stat called "DSD" for Dodges Shut Down and Marchini had about five in the first half alone. Then he stepped down in transition for a high-to-high heater goal. Interesting, very interesting.

#55 D Liam Quinn (6-7, 235 - Junior, Downingtown STEM). An absolute giant of a close defender. With one side shut down by Verch, Hobart tested Quinn, and they found no joy. Quinn chopped trees to the tune of three caused turnovers. He showed basketball length and can block passing lanes with uncanny timing. One to watch for next year's draft if he wants to go that route.  

#37 D Ryan Bradley (6-5, 216 - Senior, Holmdel). We talked about the other long poles, but Bradley also had a massive effort with five ground balls and three caused turnovers. Hobart isn't a huge test, but Bradley played well. This entire defensive group was stifling. Senior Day, indeed.

There wasn't much to write home about on the Hobart side, but the best defenders were following #99 Bryce Johnson around the field. In the second half, the bench seniors got to play, and the final score ended 15-7. Hawks Cover!

In the next episode of Philax, we will hopefully be wearing shorts, not parkas. Or vests, at the very least.

"It's always vest weather when you're a lax bro." Hey, don't break chops, ya jabroni. We're still workshopping mottos. And there are no bad ideas in a brainstorm.   

Check in next week when we'll visit Penn Senior Day and take a look at another close defender in Brandon Lavelle who will be matched against Princeton lefty attackman Coulter Mackesy.