By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/16/11
Radnor rising senior face-off specialist/midfielder Mike Barnes has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Drexel University.
Barnes was a First Team Central League pick for the Red Raiders in 2011, helping them finish 12-8 and advance to the second round of the District 1 playoffs. Barnes won 73 percent of his face-off and added 12 goals and 9 assists and earned a spot on the Philly Under Armour Underclassmen team.
Barnes, who plays club lacrosse for Mesa Fresh 2012, also competed for Team Philly at King of the Hill the past two years. He also was selected to play in the EPSLA Showcase in June.
“I chose Drexel because of the great academics and lacrosse, great coaching staff,” said Barnes, who hopes to enter the co-op program and is undecided on a major. “I am excited to be with all the recruits from the Philly area.”
Drexel went 8-6 last year under coach Brian Voelker. Barnes joins six other Philly rising seniors committed to Drexel: Conestoga’s Jordan Klunder (midfielder), MiKe McGregor (midfielder) and Miles Thomas (LSM), Garnet Valley’s Jules Raucci (midfielder), Bishop Shanahan’s Chris Panichelli and Holy Ghost Prep’s Jeremy Omrod (midfielder).
Barnes said playing in the Underclassmen Games was a great experience. Team Philly went 2-2 and suffered two heartbreaking one-goal losses.
“Playing in the Under Armour Underclassmen Games was a lot of fun,” he said. “Unfortunately, we did not make the playoffs but it was great playing against the best from around the country.”
Barnes said the Red Raiders, who fielded many underclassmen this year, should emerge as a power in 2012.
“Towards the end of the year our team really came together and started playing good lacrosse, but unfortunately we lost in the second round of districts,” he said.
“For the 2012 season we have a great rising junior class that should be stepping up. We also have a solid group of rising seniors that should contribute.”
Barnes wished to thank Radnor head coach John Begier for his help in his development and the recruiting process.
