Team 91 Lacrosse Player Spotlight

Getting to Know Max Porterfield
Player Name: Max Porterfield
College Commitment: Lander
High School: Dorman
Position: Goalie
Graduating Class: 2023

What other schools did you consider?
Newberry and Queens.

 

How did the school you chose separate itself from the others you considered?
The way Lander separated themselves from other schools was its coaching staff. They were always there for anything I needed during my process, told me exactly where I stood and what the next steps would be for me.I felt the coaches were very personable and I really clicked with them.

How would you describe your recruiting process overall?
Overall, my recruiting process was very fun and exciting, but it was also a learning process. I enjoyed meeting different coaches and seeing the different styles they use to coach. I enjoyed being able to ask coaches what I could do better in their opinion to step up my game as well.

What was your favorite part of the recruiting process?
My favorite part of the process was being able to visit and tour the different schools. I liked being able to see what each school had to offer. I really enjoyed being able to see the athletic facilities and see how the teams practiced. I also enjoyed meeting some of the players and seeing another side of the program.

What opportunities and information assisted you during your recruiting process?
The 91 staff helped me the most during my process by always being available to answer any questions I had. Ryan was honest and gave me great advice on how to navigate the different steps of recruiting. We were able to attend a recruiting meeting where everything was explained to us.

Did you feel like you had support from the Team 91 staff during your process? If so, how?
Absolutely, the 91 staff was always available to help with anything. Ryan always made sure that I knew he was a text or call away for any questions. My dad and I were also able to meet with him and talk about the next steps in my process before I made my decision to commit.

What individual or showcase events, if any, did you find the most beneficial during your process?
Team 91 gives lots us a lot opportunities to play in front of different coaches. During each summer tournament and the Southeastern Showcases, we were in front of college coaches. The variety of tournaments was beneficial because of the amount of exposure I received.

What would you tell younger players or parents to help them prepare for the recruiting process?
I would just say to not get overwhelmed with everything. It can be a very stressful time or a very fun time. Try not to get overwhelmed and just enjoy the experience.

Coach Flanagan on Max

If you have read any of our player spotlights, you can quickly tell that I love the guys who love the game. Max is one of those guys. He always wants reps and always wants to play. Those are the types of guys that you always want around.

It’s about an hour and a half ride from Dorman, SC to Charlotte, NC, but despite the commute, Max almost never missed practice or a training session. Our high school players will have skill training sessions on Monday nights in the Fall. If you’re coming up from Dorman, SC, you’re looking at a 1.5hr ride to practice, 1.5hrs of training and a 1.5hr ride home.

You’re probably getting to the field 15 minutes early and leaving 15 minutes late. That’s a 5hr commitment on a school night and that is not lost on us as coaches. We know it can be a challenge for guys at times, but it was never an excuse for Max. He wanted to be at everything, and he would do whatever he could to get there early and stay late to get extra reps in. That says a lot to us as coaches and it shows how important the game is to a guy.

We run a goalie and faceoff training program on Friday nights in the Fall and Winter so that our specialists can get extra instruction and repetitions. I’ll always remember Max reaching out the Fall of his senior year asking if it would be okay for him to come up to get some extra reps. Of course it would be okay! When a senior in high school wants to drive 1.5hrs to get reps on a Friday night, you know it means a lot to him.

His love for the game and how much he craves the extra reps and instruction is what allows Max to keep getting better. He has improved as much as any goalie we have ever had when you compare his first practice to his last and the coaches at Lander saw that same thing. Each time they watched Max play either at a tournament or their prospect day, they felt like he was getting better. When we spoke to them again Max, it was an easy story to tell. He loves the game; you can see it in his actions and the reason it looks like he is getting better every time you watch him is because he is getting better!

I think Max is just getting started and has an incredibly bright future. He is going to be in a great environment at Lander where he is surrounded with guys who are wired the same way he is that want to get extra reps and want to get better. I cannot wait to watch him and continue to follow his development over the next few years at Lander!

Archived Player Spotlights

Ewan McAloon - Team 91 Charlotte - Cabrini - Click Here to Read More
Owen McAllister - Team 91 Charlotte - Gettysburg - Click Here to Read More
Connor Clark - Team 91 Charlotte - Denison - Click Here to Read More

Matt Lutzel - Team 91 Charlotte - High Point University - Click Here to Read More
Jack Curry - Team 24/7 2021 - Stevens Institute of Technology
Carson Skinner - Team 24/7 2021 - Wagner College Commit - Click Here to Read More
Paul Reidy - Team 24/7 2021 - Delaware Commit: Click Here to Read More
Casey Hurley - Team 24/7 2022 - St. Johns Commit: Click Here To Read More
Ty Keaton - Team 24/7 2021 - Salisbury Commit: Click Here to Read More
Ben Rosenbloom - Team 24/7 2021 - Berry Commit: Click Here to Read More
Colton Curtis - Team 24/7 2021 - Bates Commit: Click Here to Read More
Mason Meagher - Team 24/7 2021 - Air Force Commit: Click Here to Read More
George Kalos - Team 24/7 2022 - University of North Carolina Commit: Click Here to Read More
Jack Hines - Team 24/7 2021 - Denison Commit: Click Here to Read More
Sully Macmurphy - Team 24/7 2021 - Marist Commit: Click Here to Read More
Ryan Stines - Team 24/7 2021 - Utah Commit: Click Here to Read More
Dylan Bedell - Team 24/7 2021 - Marist Commit: Click Here to Read More
Colby Barsz - Team 24/7 2020 - Towson Commit: Click Here to Read More
Trevor Kelly - Team 24/7 2020 - Army Commit: Click Here to Read More
AJ Todaro - Team 24/7 2020 - Binghamton Commit: Click Here to Read More
Jack Fitch - Team 24/7 2020 - Vermont Commit: Click Here to Read More
Nick Rizzo - Team 24/7 2020 - High Point Commit: Click Here to Read More
Tucker Goodelle - Team 24/7 2020 - Villanova Commit: Click Here to Read More