By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/21/11
Conestoga junior All-American attackman Connor Frisina has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Delaware.
Frisina, who helped lead the Pioneers to their second straight Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) championship last weekend, earned US Lacrosse All-American, All-Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association (EPSLA) and All-Central League honors this year when he led Conestoga in scoring with 56 goals and 25 assists. He plays club lacrosse for Mesa Fresh 2012, which just won the Rutgers MVP tournament.
“Their facilities took my breath away,” said Frisina, an Honor Roll student. “The campus is beautiful ands it’s the perfect college setup. There is the college, the town and the facility and they are spread out equally. Also, it’s not too far from home.”
Frisina will play for veteran coach Bob Shillinglaw, who guided the Blue Hens to their second straight Colonial Athletic Association championship this year. Shillinglaw is the dean of NCAA Division I coaches, posting a 275-247 mark in 33 years at Delaware.
“I loved the coaches and I thought from what coach Shillinglaw told me I would fit in great,” Frisina said. “They work hard and have a pretty tight family bond. I looked at the season and they had some rough games, but they pulled through and took the CAA as underdogs. They know when to step up.”
Frisina had originally committed to Massachusetts in the fall, but recently de-committed. He said he had only positive feelings about UMass and wished to thank the Minutemen coaches for their support.
Frisina is cherishing his second state title. The Pioneers defeated St. Joseph’s Prep, 13-4, for the PIAA crown on June 11.
“I feel it’s starting to sink in,” he said. “Last week was pretty enjoyable. I want the new season to start up already.”
Frisina understands Conestoga followers will be looking ahead to see if the team can win a third straight crown. In all, eight Conestoga rising juniors have committed to Division I colleges. Others include attackmen Bradlee Lord and Tyler Brooke (Maryland), defenseman Jamie Ikeda (Duke), long stick midfielder Miles Thomas (Drexel), midfielders Adam Goins (Notre Dame), Mike McGregor (Drexel) and Jordan Klunder (Drexel).
“We’ll have high expectations and we have to start working now if we want to win three in a row,” said Frisina. “If everyone is willing to put in the work, we can be there.”
