By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/20/21
Dylan McDougall said he just wanted to show off his all-around skills as a big lefty attackman Friday at the Victory Events Beast of the East Showcase at Maple Zone. Clearly, the college coaches who voted him as the “Ultimate Beast” MVP honor, noticed his talents.
“I wanted to really prove I could score both ways, dodging and on spot up shooting,” said McDougall, a 6-3, 215-pound 2022 from Rising Sons and Penncrest High. “I also wanted to show I could move the ball and be a good playmaker.
“I like to think I am a really good leader. I like getting my teammates as many looks as me. I want to be seen as an unselfish player.”
McDougall said it was easy to mesh with his new teammates.
“I had a really good group of guys; we went 3-0. I know they didn’t really keep score but I think we won our games,” he said. “I have done a lot of showcases and we had really good chemistry. My shot was on, I felt really good and my family came to support me.
“When it comes to showcases, I like getting mine, but I don’t want to be a ballhog and I want to make sure coaches don’t look at me and say, ‘He never passes the ball.’ I want to do as much as I can, move off-ball and be a good team player and communicator.”
(See the story on the All-Beast team.)
McDougall said he is just beginning to look at colleges. Academically, McDougall is interested in pursuing physical therapy or psychology.
“I am kind of exploring options,” said McDougall. “I am looking for a cool place that’s not too far but not too close. It’s all about where I can go that gives me the best opportunity to play lacrosse at a high level, where there is a good team and a good coaching staff.
McDougall said he has many strengths to offer a college program. He admits he still needs work on his off (right) hand.
“I’d like to say I am a tough player who won’t shy away from contact,” he said. “I like getting into the groundballs and scrums. I think I’m a really good all around player who can ride hard, pass the ball, and get the goal when the team needs one.”
McDougall had 31 goals and 23 assists this past spring when he helped lead Penncrest to the District 1 Class AA championship – the school’s first district crown (it won a PIAA title in 2014).
“That Penncrest was the best team I was ever one,” he said. “It was more like a family. Everyone has each other’s backs and we worked so well together.
“It was surreal. I had never won something so big before; it was probably one of the best days of my life. I had never felt that feeling of making it that far and winning with my best friends, my brothers. It was awesome to say I helped in that. The whole towns of Media and Middletown came together. It was awesome.”
Marc Manfredonia (St. Joseph Regional-Montvale/NJ Riot, 2022) named Defensive MVP
Marc Manfredonia, a 2022 defenseman from St. Joseph Regional-Montvale and NJ Riot, said he had a goal of making the All-Star list, but did not count on being an MVP.
“My expectation for the showcase was definitely to broaden my exposure to more colleges,” he said. “A goal that I had going into it was possibly making the All Showcase list. Being selected as the Defensive MVP really topped off a great showcase.”
Manfredonia said his team’s success helped.
“My team went 2-1, and I loved all the kids on my team,” he said. “We had great camaraderie, which helped our performance and chemistry.”
What is he looking for in a college destination?
“So far I’m still looking for my perfect fit, which would be a preferably southern school with a larger campus and a highly competitive lacrosse team,” he said.
Manfredonia said he likes to make the big hit, but believes strong teamwork and communication is the key to a successful defense.
“My strengths are definitely communication, leadership, and physicality,” he said. “I believe communication is the keystone of a formidable defense and I love laying the boom on a slide.”
