By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/18/10
Radnor senior attackman Jeff Puckette has made a commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Pennsylvania.
Puckette was an Honorable Mention Central League pick in 2010 when he collected 27 goals and 19 assists, helping the Red Raiders to a 13-9 record and a berth in the quarterfinals of the District 1 playoffs.
Puckette, who plays club lacrosse for Competitive Edge and Mesa Fresh 2011, competed in the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association Showcase in June.
Puckette will join three other Philly recruits for coach Mike Murphy at Penn – Haverford School’s Joe McCallion (face-off specialist/midfielder) and Hup Hupfeldt (attackman) and Conestoga’s John Lopes (goalie).
“I got interest in Penn when my brother (Tom) went there (he played club lacrosse),” Puckette said. “Academics always was first for me and when Penn came into the picture it seemed like a great fit academically and athletically.
“With everything I had heard about the program and what Coach Murphy is trying to do, it got me real excited,” he said. “Everything about it made me want to go there.’
Puckette, a member of the Distinguished Honor Roll, is looking to study in the fields of math and science.
“They have some of the top programs in math, science and engineering,” he said. “I’m going into the College of Arts and Sciences and I’ll have a lot to choose from.”
Puckette has high expectations for the 2011 season.
“Coach (John) Begier always wants us to be one of the top contenders,” Puckette said. “Even though (defending state champion) Conestoga and some other squads have great kids, I think we have a lot of kids to work with.
“With our senior leadership and our underclassmen stepping up, we can do some damage.”
