By Jake Adams
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/2/11
Downingtown East junior attack McKenzie Rafferty has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Delaware.
Rafferty helped lead the Cougars to a quarterfinals appearance in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament last season. She plays club lacrosse for PA Express.
She also was a member of the Philadelphia Under Armour Underclassmen team last summer, and served as a captain for the high school golf team.
Rafferty, who will major in Education and minor in Coaching, also considered Duke and James Madison University. She chose Delaware because of the school’s academic reputation and the lacrosse tradition.
“When you consider Delaware’s reputation for my major and combine that with the excellent lacrosse program, it has everything I’m looking for,” Rafferty said. “I love the campus and its college town atmosphere.
“Coach Kateri Linville and her staff, Kristin Hopson and Mat Faas, made me feel so comfortable. I felt like I belonged there from the very first visit.”
Downingtown East already has four seniors heading to Division I lacrosse programs next year. Midfielder Kelly Devlin has signed with North Carolina, goalie Allie Murray has signed with Notre Dame, midfielder Emily Solenberger has signed with Lehigh and goalie Marya Fratoni has committed to Navy. Also, senior attack Ashley Poli has signed with Division II power West Chester.
The Cougars figure to be a leading contender in the Ches-Mont League this year.
“Last season we made it to the quarterfinals of states,” Rafferty said. “We are really excited for the season to begin and have some tough competition, but our goal is to improve and advance even farther this year.”
