By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/29/11

Episcopal Academy rising senior face-off specialist/midfielder Jon Garino has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Lafayette College.

Episcopal Academy's Jon Garino has committed to Lafayette

Garino won 65 percent of his face-offs last season and was a Gait Fab 40 pick at the Philly Showcase in November. He plays club lacrosse for the Duke’s L.C.

Garino plans on studying management or economics at Lafayette, coached by Terry Mangan.

“I am so excited to play for Coach Mangan,” said Garino. “I chose Lafayette for its great academics and strong lacrosse program.

“I think the Patriot League is one of the best in college lacrosse and to be able to compete in that league for a school like Lafayette doesn’t get any better. Lafayette is also in a good location and has a really nice campus. It’s also about an hour away from my home; that makes it easy for friends and family to visit me while at college.”

Garino has high expectations for the 2012 season after an up-and-down 2011 year that saw EA finish 6-11 overall while also claiming wins over La Salle, Downingtown East, Radnor and Inter-Ac rival Germantown Academy.

“I expect a lot from Episcopal next spring,” Garino said. “I think we have a great senior class and enough talent and camaraderie between us to have a very successful season.

“Last year we were one of the youngest teams in the area and I think the experience we all gained from last year will help us out immensely for this year. My main goal is to win the Inter-Ac and I feel like EA is definitely capable of doing that.”

Garino wished to thank EA coaches Andy Hayes and assistant John Bodnar and the rest of the staff as well as Duke’s L.C. coaches Matt Dolente and Drew Kennedy for their face-off help and head coach Ebe Helm and his staff. He also thanked his friends and family for their support.

Tags: Episcopal Academy