By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/24/10
Unionville senior long stick midfielder Rich O’Neill has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at St. Joseph’s University.
O’Neill was a First Team Ches-Mont League pick in 2010 for Unionville, which reached the District 1 playoffs. O’Neill was named the No. 6 LSM in the nation by ESPN RISE, which also was listed him as the nation’s No. 30 senior overall.
He plays club lacrosse for the Duke’s Lacrosse Club.
O’Neill, who originally committed to Penn State, plans to study business at St. Joe’s.
“I liked the coaches and the school is pretty close to home, but far enough to be away from home,” he said. “Also, it’s smaller so I will get a lot more attention from professors.”
“I like that the campus is in Philly’ I can go to Phillies games, Eagles games and do that type of thing.”
O’Neill is confident the Indians can contend again in the Ches-Mont League.
“We’re optimistic, put it that way,” he said. “We do have a lot of guys coming back. I think having one more year of experience, for a lot of the guys that just started at the varsity level last year, it will help them.”
O’Neill is the fifth Philly senior to commit to St. Joseph’s. The others are Malvern Prep attackman Mike Dougherty, Avon Grove defenseman Kevin Barrow, St. Joseph’s Prep attackamn Rob Watts and Downingtown West goalie Dustin Keen..
Seniors can sign national letters of intent during the early signing period Nov. 10-17.
