By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/18/09
La Salle senior defender Mike Noone has signed a letter of intent to 
play next year at Lehigh University.
Noone said he chose Lehigh because of its accounting program and coaching staff, which includes former Philadelphia Barrage member Kevin Cassese and current Philadelphia Wing Taylor Wray.
“I chose them because right away I saw coach Cassese and coach Wray as being down-to-earth guys and ewasy to talk to,” said Noone, who will be joined at Lehigh by Explorers teammate Derek Bogorowski and Penn Charter goalie Dan Carr. “I don’t think you find that in coaches.
“I also think they have the right combination of academics and a highly-regarded accounting program. They have an up-and-coming team.”
Noone does not need an accounting degree to calculate that the Explorers have to keep their mental approach strong this year. La Salle is No. 1 in the first Pennsylvania Media Rankings and No. 2 in the country according to Inside Lacrosse as they enter the new season with a host of returnees from a state championship team.
“Coach (Bill) Leahy and (assistant) coach (Tony) Resch try and get the mindset across that we shouldn’t be worrying about that (media hype). Everyone looks at it; I can’t say I haven’t looked at it. But coach Leahy has worked us like he’s never worked us before. We’re doing different swimming and running exercices. In my four years, we have never done anything like what he’s got us doing this year.”
Noone said the team’s defense, which last year was credited for shuitting down a number of standout players on the top Philly teams, is led by senior All-American goalie Niko Amato (Maryland).
“It all starts with Niko back there,” Noone said. “He is pretty much the team leader. Plus, coach Resch is always trying to improve us. he pushed to make you better.”
