By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/30/09
Haverford School junior midfielder Matt Walters has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at two-time defending NCAA Division I champion Syracuse University.
Walters was a member of a Fords team that shared the Inter-Ac League championship with Malvern Prep and then defeated Malvern for the league playoff title. Walters also played in the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association Showcase in June and played for the Philly boys’ team that claimed third in the Under Armour Underclassmen Games this summer.
Walters also considered North Carolina, Johns Hopkins, Maryand, Duke and Navy.
Walters becomes the third Haverford junior to commit early to a Division I college; Fords midfielder Carl Walrath committed to Virginia last week and also on Wednesday goalie Conor Kelly committed to Notre Dame. In the past week, two other Philly juniors, both from La Salle, committed to Division I powers: attackman Kevin Forster (Maryland) and midfielder Jack Bogorowski (Johns Hopkins).
Syracuse defeated Cornell, 10-9, in overtime for the NCAA crown in 2009. The Orangemen finished 16-2.
Walters, who plans to major in culinary arts or communications, believes he can fit into the Syracuse mold of athletic middies that can run.
“The style of play fits me perfectly,” said Walters, who credited Seven Nations club coach Mike Morsell as well as his Haverford School coaches for helping him develop his fundamentals. “They have a fast transition and athletic style of play.
“I like to run in the open field and I try to get my shot. That’s probably my (biggest strength). I love the coaching staff and I felt very comfortable when I met the players.”
Walters said he is thrilled to play on a team that has won the last two national titles and 11 overall.
“It would be awesome to get a couple rings,” he said. “The (Carrier) dome was spectacular. As soon as I got into the dome, it was unreal.”
Walters said he can hardly wait until the 2010 lacrosse season. The Fords are loaded with Division I talent and have been tabbed as a team to watch in the region and beyond.
“I am so excited, we can barely keep it together,” he said. “It’s almost like lightning in a bottle. Hopefully, we’ll live up to expectations and work together.”
