By Natasha Wetten
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/23/11
Penncrest senior defenseman Dylan O’Donnell has committed to play Division I lacrosse at St. Joseph’s University.
O’Donnell helped the Lions finish 12-7 in 2010 and advance to the second round of the District 1 playoffs. A member of Rebel Elite club, he also made the “Fab Forty” Junior All-Star game at the 2009 Philly Showcase and played in the Adidas All American Lacrosse Classic in 2010.
O’Donnell will play for seven-year coach Pat Cullinan at St. Joseph’s, which moves into the Colonial Athletic Association this year.
“Recently St. Joe’s changed their division so they’ll be playing some better teams,” said O’Donnell. “I thought it would be a good chance to go into an up-and-coming program.
“Also, all the players were welcoming. It is really cool to be a part of a new group. Everyone was pushing each other in a friendly manner. That mentality really pushed me to go there.”
An honor student, O’Donnell plans to major in business, following his father’s footsteps. “My dad was always into business and I visited him at work and always found it interesting,” he said.
O’Donnell joins five other Philly seniors headed to St. Joe’s: St. Joseph’s Prep’s Rob Watts (attackman), Unionville’s Rich O’Neill (long stick midfielder), Malvern Prep’s Mike Dougherty (attackman), Avon Grove’s Kevin Barrow (defenseman) and Downingtown West’s Dustin Keen (goalie).
O’Donnell is the second Penncrest senior to commit to play college lacrosse. Midfielder Andrew Caldwell has committed to Division III power Salisbury.
O’Donnell has high expectations for Penncrest in 2011.
“My time at Penncrest has been a very enjoyable experience,” said O’Donnell. “I expect a really good season coming up. We have the talent and the athleticism. Just as long as everyone is working hard we should be going deep into the playoffs.”
