By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 2/1/10
Bishop Shanahan senior defenseman Jacob Farrell has committed to play NCAA Division III lacrosse at Susquehanna University.
Farrell, a three-year starter, was a First Team All-Ches-Mont League pick last year. He plays club lacrosse for Black Bear Select and Orange and also helped Chester County claim the bronze at the Keystone State Games last summer.
Farrell said Susquehanna coach Stewart Moan was a big drawing card. Moan, a former assistant at Villanova, enters his third season as head coach.
“Coach Moan is absolutely fantastic,” said Farrell. “The way he runs the team is the way I think every team should be run. They’re really up and coming and I can’t wait to be a part of their success.
“I feel (Coach Moan) is really personable and he’s really approachable. He understands student life and how lacrosse mixed well with that.”
At Susquehanna, Farrell plans to major in Journalism and also get involved in photojournalism.
“I’ve always had the big idea of traveling the world and bringing what people want to see in other parts of the world back to them,” he said.
Farrell will be joined by Wissahickon’s Jeff Gebert as Susquehanna recruits.
Farrell also is anxious to begin the 2010 scholastic season. He believes that new Eagles coach Jon Heisman – a veteran mentor who led West Chester East to the state playoffs last year – can help the Eagles become a Ches-Mont League contender.
“We are so excited and for everyone on the team there is a buzz,” Farrell said. “We can’t wait to get out there. His plan is for us to (contend) and he seems pretty heartfelt on getting us there.”
Farrell said Bishop Shanahan players are prepared to working harder to make themselves winners. Last year the Eagles went 7-12, but they recorded big wins over playoff squads Strath Haven and Henderson and return a core of key players.
“It’s exciting and I think we’re going to take a lot more confidence into the season,” he said. “We have to sacrifice a lot more than we have. If you have Saturday morning practices, you can’t go out on Friday nights.
“That’s what it’s going to take. In the ‘semi-off-season’ we’ve been going for training on Mondays and Wednesdays and lifting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They’re not mandatory, but people know if you better yourself, you better the team.”
