By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/24/10
Garnet Valley junior attackman/midfielder Jules Raucci has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Drexel University.
Raucci was an Honorable Mention Central League pick last year when he scored 28 goals and helped the Jaguars place third in the District 1 tournament. Raucci made the Fab Forty team at last month’s Philly Showcase and also was picked for the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association Showcase in June.
Raucci plans to study either Engineering or Business Management and possibly enter Drexel’s well-respected co-op program.
“I chose Drexel because I really like the campus,” said Raucci. “I like the city and the coach (Brian) Voelker as well as the rest of the coaching staff. They have a good team and it’s a good academic school.”
Drexel finished 10-5 last year and was ranked in the Top 10 much of the year. The Dragons fell to Delaware in the Colonial Athletic Association semifinals.
Raucci also considered Bucknell, Lehigh, Ohio State, and St. John’s.
Raucci is the fourth Philly junior to commit to Drexel. The others are Conestoga midfielders Mike McGregor and Jordan Klunder and Bishop Shanahan defenseman Chris Panichelli.
“I liked their schedule; it was challenging,” said Raucci. “I like getting to play teams in the area and I like that it’s close to home.”
Raucci is the third Garnet Valley junior to commit to a Division I college; defenseman Ryan Lehman committed this fall to Maryland and defenseman Ryan Guittare committed to Penn State.
Raucci’s Jaguars went 17-6 last year and finished third in the rugged Central League. He believes the team can challenge for the crown.
“I think everybody on the team has really high expectations,” said Raucc. “(Defending state champion) Conestoga will be tough and Radnor will be good, but I think we can hang with them.”
Raucci wished to thank head coach Frank Urso and assistants Bryan Tingle, Brian Neary, Matt Baker, and Jim Snow.
