By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/8/10
Upper Dublin senior midfielder Jake Long has committed to play NCAA Division III lacrosse at Ithaca College.
Long was a Second Team Suburban One American Conference pick last year and helped the Cardinals win the league title and advance to the second round of the District 1 tournament. Long also plays for the LB3 Blue club team.
Long was most impressed with Ithaca’s 23-year coach, Jeff Long, a former Navy All-American who recently was inducted into the US Lacrosse Hall of Fame. Long has compiled a career record of 210-105 at Ithaca and last year guided the Bombers to a 14-2 mark.
“That honor shows how well known he is and that he knows what he’s doing,” said Jake Long, who collected more than 20 goals and 20 assists last year for the Cardinals. “The team (success) is one of the reasons I am going to Ithaca. I wanted to play for a competitive team.”
Long has applied to the Ithaca School of Business, but is undecided on a specific major.
Ithaca features two key starters from Philly, junior face-off specialist Michael Hennessy (Owen J. Roberts), an Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-American, and junior defenseman Matt Molnar (Central Bucks East). Sophomore goalie Tim Palmer (West Chester East) also is on the roster.
Long is optimistic that the Cardinals can defend their American Conference crown, but admits the competition will be fierce from Wissahickon, Plymouth Whitemarsh and Upper Merion
“The other teams have gotten really good the past few years so the league is really solid,” Long said. “Hopefully we can overcome that and pull it out.”
