By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/2/09
Holy Ghost Prep rising senior attackman Andrew Cacchio has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Hartford for 2010-11.
Cacchio, an Honorable Mention All-Phillylacrosse.com pick, plans to major in either business or education.
“I liked the size of the school and also it looked like a good fit academically,” he said. “I also figure I have a decent chance of competing for some time early on.”
Last year Hartford went 2-11, but lost four goals by one goal and three games by two goals. The highlight was a 10-8 upset over No. 6 UMBC on the next-to-last game of the year.
“They were really close to being a good team,” said Cacchio, who will join another Philly recruit, Emmaus rising senior midfielder Tate Klidonas, at Hartford. “I think they are up and coming.”
Cacchio has enjoyed a strong off-season. In early June at the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Showcase, he shined (two goals, four assists) for the private schools team in the rising senior game and drew much attention.
Later in June, he competed for the Philly team in the adidas National Lacrosse Classic.
“I was talking earlier in year (to Hartford) and then really the Showcase helped me a lot with them,” he said. “(Hartford) Coach (Peter) Lawrence was at the game. I talked to him, and we really started talking a lot more after that.”
“In the adidas tourney, I had a lot of fun playing with a lot of good kids. Even though I knew I was going at the time, there were a lot of coaches watching. It was a good experience all-around.”
Cacchio is one of two rising seniors from Holy Ghost to commit to Division I colleges; goalie Andrijko Andrusko recently committed to Lafayette.
“It all made me realize I can compete with kids at the highest level,” Cacchio said of the post-season success. “It also helped put Holy Ghost on the map, having me and Andrijko (commit to Division I schools). We’re a small school and not many people know about us.”
Cacchio is looking forward to more good experiences in 2010. Holy Ghost went 13-5 last year and advanced to the District 1 tournament as Cacchio collected 42 goals and 35 assists. There are many returnees besides him and Andrusko.
Also, the team has a new coach – Lower Bucks youth coach and former Notre Dame (N.J.) mentor Joe Manuli – with much familiarity with the players.
“I think it should be a good year,” Cacchio said. “It will be interesting to see how everyone adjusts to a new system. We have the pieces; it’s a matter of us picking it all up.”
