By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 1/24/12

Springfield-Delco junior defenseman Dan Smyth has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at St. John’s University.

Dan Smyth log:

Dan Smyth

High School: Springfield-Delco

Graduation Year: 2013

Position: Defenseman

College Choice: St. John’s

Club Affiliation: HEADstrong

Major lacrosse honors: Honorable Mention All-Central league, HM All-Delco, Philly Showcase, 2011

Academic honors: Honor Roll

What will you major in/study? Leaning toward Business

Other info: Episcopal Academy junior and friend Dante Addona recently committed to St. John’s; Springfield-Delco grads Joe Addona (Dante’s brother) and Colin Keegan, are sophomores at St. John’s

Why did you choose school? “It definitely helped that other Springfield players are up there and playing well. Form the minute I stepped on the campus I felt a strong connection. When I did my overnight there, it reaffirmed my initial feelings that it was a great place. With New York City right there, (assistant) coach (Dan) Paccione (head coach Jason) Miller. With Dante going – we’ll probably be rooming together – it will be awesome.”

Other schools considered: Hobart, High Point, Mount St. Mary’s, Sacred Heart, Dartmouth and Holy Cross.

What is your HS team’s outlook for the season? “Since we’re Springfield we always have big expectations. But we’re a really young team this year. We’re going to look to win the Central League like we (try to do) every year.”

Other comments: “I want to thank all the coaches at HEADstrong, Mike Colleluori, Brett Moyer, Brian Neary, Eddie DiDonato, Steve Layne; and my coaches at Springfield, Tom Lemieux and Rory Friel; my parents, Terry and Dan, my grandfather, Bob Millison, my younger brother, Pat, and my sister, Kaylee.”

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/23/11

Penn State has added two Philly grads to its men’s lacrosse roster for 2012, junior midfielder John Cugini (Springfield-Delco) and freshman defenseman Dan Marr (Pennsbury).

Cugini is a transfer from the University of Denver where he played in nine games in two seasons at midfield while also taking face-offs. He was a four-year letterwinner at Springfield-Delco and was captain of a team that reached the state semifinals in 2009. Cugini was an Honorable Mention Central League pick and Team MVP in 2009.

Marr led Pennsbury to its first appearance in the PIAA tournament last year and was a three-time First Team Suburban One National Conference selection. Marr was a co-captain last year and a four-year starter.

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/11/11
From Press Release

Former Nittany Lion goalkeeper Drew Adams (’09) has been named to the 21-man U.S. Men’s National Team roster that will compete at the seventh annual Champion Challenge, to be held at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Jan. 27-29, 2012.

The Champion Challenge will bring together both the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams for matchups against international and collegiate competition. The men’s squad will play the University of Denver on Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012.

One of two goalkeepers on the U.S. squad, Adams recently completed his second season with Major League Lacrosse’s Long Island Lizards. The Springfield, Pa., native, who garnered league Goalkeeper of the Year honors, led the league in minutes played (704:44) and ranked third in save percentage (.561) and fourth in goals-against average (11.75).

A 2009 graduate, Adams enjoyed a stellar four-year career at Penn State. The three-time USILA Honorable Mention All-American and ECAC Goalie of the Year started all 54 games during his career and established the program’s benchmark for career saves (694). Adams also garnered three All-ECAC first-team nods and one league second-team selection, while being named the team’s MVP four straight seasons.

In addition to the national team’s matchup against Denver, the squad will help host National Team Player Clinics for youth and high school players.

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/5/11

Springfield-Delco junior midfielder Alex Poplawski has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Stanford University.

Alex Poplawski log:

Alex Poplawski

High School: Springfield-Delco

Graduation Year: 2013

Position: Midfield

College Choice: Stanford

Club Affiliation: Phantastix

Major lacrosse honors: US Lacrosse All-American, 2011; All-Phillylacrosse.com, 2011; National Tournament Philly 1 Team, 2011; All-Central League 1st team, 2011; All-Delco, 2011; PASLA Freshman of year, 2010.

Academic honors: Honor Roll, National Honor Society

What will you major in/study? Undecided, but interested in Math and Sciences

Why did you choose school? “It’s in a beautiful place and has a mix of really strong academics and athletics. The coaching staff (led by Phoenixville grad Amy Bokker, head coach) is awesome, and I felt comfortable with the team. It felt like a fit. Plus, the Stanford program is lacrosse strong.”

What is your HS team’s outlook for next year? “We always have high goals. Almost all our players are returning and we intend on being pretty tough this year.”

Other comments: “First, I want to thank my mom, dad and my sister. They have been so supportive. I want to thank Springfield coaches Keith Broome, Sandy Carter and Kathleen Geiger and the Phantastix staff of Sue Frazier, JoAnn Yusko, Lorraine Beers and Margie Garrity; and also my Springfield and Phantastix teammates.”

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/6/11

Midfielder Josh Cavanaugh, a US Lacrosse All-American in 2009 who led the Cougars to the Central League championship in 2010, has transferred to St. Joseph’s University after a year at Navy Prep.

Cavanaugh was a three-time Central League First-Team pick for the Cougars who also played for team Philly at the 2009 Under Armour Underclassmen Games. He helped Springfield-Delco reach the District 1 finals in 2010 and advance to the state playoffs for the second straight year.

cavanaugh was co-MVP of the Central League in 2009 and earned all-EPSLA honors three years in a row.

As a sophomore, Cavanaugh helped a young Springfield-Delco squad reach the quarterfinals of the final Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association tournament.

Cavanaugh is one of 13 new players for first-year coach Taylor Wray at St. Joseph’s, which plays Saturday in the 5th annual Nick Colleluori Classic at Ridley High.

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/22/11
From Press Releases

Major League Lacrosse announced Monday that Long Island  Lizards goalkeeper Drew Adams (Springfield-Delco) has been named as the 2011 Warrior MLL Goalkeeper of the Year, according to MLL Commissioner David Gross.

The award was based on the votes submitted by the head  coaches and general managers of each of the League’s six teams.

“Warrior would like to congratulate Drew on an outstanding  season,” said Dave Dixon, Warrior Chief Marketing Officer. “The Warrior MLL Goalkeeper of the Year honor is evidence of a tremendous personal effort on the field and we are proud to present this award to him.”

In his second season as the Lizards’ starting goalkeeper, Adams ranked fourth in the MLL with an 11.75 goals against average. He also ranked third in the MLL with a .561 save percentage while leading the league in  minutes played (704:44).

A graduate of Penn State University, Adams recorded 15 or more saves six times this season, including a career-high 24 saves against Boston on July 16 which earned him MLL Defensive Player of the Week honors. He  also earned the MLL Defensive Player of the Week award after making 16 saves in  the Lizards’ July 23 win at Chesapeake.

In three MLL seasons, Adams has recorded a .543 save percentage while allowing 11.60 goals per game. He has made 325 saves in 25 career games, a 13.0 average.

“It’s definitely an honor; it’s a little bittersweet since we’re not in the playoffs, but it’s a reflection of our defense and our team as a whole,” Adams said. “It’s not an individual award in my eyes, you can’t win it without a great team behind you, but it’s definitely an honor.”

About Warrior Headquartered in Warren, Michigan, Warrior is recognized as a  premier manufacturer of innovative, high performance, cutting-edge equipment, footwear and apparel for lacrosse and hockey athletes of all ages and abilities.  Founded in 1993 by former champion lacrosse player David Morrow, Warrior is a  subsidiary of New Balance. The company is dedicated to a core set of principles:  technical superiority, grassroots marketing, original and creative youthful  expression and strong partnerships with retailers and suppliers. For more  information please visit www.warrior.com.

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/17/11
From Press Releases and Staff Reports

The energy was high as fans were kept on their feet at Shuart Stadium in Hempstead, N.Y. where the host Long Island Lizards defeated the number-one ranked Boston Cannons 12-11 Saturday in Major League Lacrosse.

The Lizards were led by goalie Drew Adams (Springfield-Delco, Penn State), who made 24 saves and was named the Game MVP.

The Cannons dominated the beginning of the first quarter, but after the Cannons (6-2) were up 5-0, Stephen Peyser and Tim Goettelmann stepped up their game and each contributed two points.

Stephen Berger started off the second quarter with a goal in the first minute, tying the game 5-5. The Cannons went on to score five consecutive goals before John Grant Jr. scored a point for the Lizards with an impressive behind-the-back shot. Although Adams made some great doorstep saves, the second quarter ended with the Lizards down four points, 10-6.

The Lizards (3-5) made a quick comeback in the third quarter as Jay Card, Dan Cocchi, and Stephen Peyser all scored goals. Despite multiple goal attempts from the Cannons, including Paul Rabil and Matt Poskay, Adams was able to make some incredible saves, putting Boston in a scoring drought throughout the whole third quarter.

The final score was unpredictable going into the fourth quarter with the Cannons in the lead by one point, 10-9. With a good hustle by Brian Spallina, the Lizards’ gained possession of the ball, and Jay Card scored his second goal of the game off a feed from Tim Goettelmann. After some back-and-forth action, Danowski finally finished a two pointer with an assist from Nicky Polanco. Brad Ross of the Cannons responded shortly after, to bring the Cannons within one point of the Lizards with less than four minutes to play.

The final minutes consisted of numerous attempts on goal by the Cannons, but tremendous stops by Adams iced the win.

MLL All-Star Pat Heim (Conestopga) scored once for Boston and fellow All-Star selection Kyle Sweeney (Springfield-Delco) added two groundballs.

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/15/11

Recent Springfield-Delco graduate Dan O’Connell (goalie) has committed to play Division III lacrosse at DeSales University.

O’Connell helped the Cougars finish 11-8 and advance to the District 1 tournament this year.

He plans to major in sports management and one day become an athletic director.

“I picked DeSales because of the coach (Andrew Geison), the campus, and the opportunities it presents,” he said.

O’Connell wished to thank his parents, teammates and coaches.

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/14/11
From Press Releases

Marquette University head coach Joe Amplo announced today the first recruiting class in the history of the Golden Eagles’ varsity men’s lacrosse program.

Amplo’s inaugural class is comprised of 25 student-athletes — including 12 college transfers – who have signed a National Letter of Intent or an Acceptance of Admission form to attend MU this fall. One of the players is Springfield-Delco long stick midfielder/defenseman Dan Mojica.

“The thing that stands out to me the most is their genuine excitement about Marquette and what exists here, and their ability to be a part of the first group of guys to start this program,” Amplo said. “That is definitely something we can build on when we talk to our next set of recruits.”

Amplo and his coaching staff welcome a broad range of talent from across North America in 2011, including players who have demonstrated different styles of play at a variety of positions.

Ten different states and two Canadian provinces are represented in Marquette’s first recruiting class with a geographic footprint ranging from Long Island, N.Y. to as far west as California and north to Calgary, Alberta.

“There is an exciting challenge in front of us because we are first at Marquette University and we get to represent that,” said Amplo. “The thing I talked to this group about specifically is that we have to build a culture — intellectually, academically, and athletically.

“They are going to set the standard for Marquette men’s lacrosse and be accountable to maintaining that standard.”

The class includes 13 incoming freshman, six sophomores and six juniors, all of whom will redshirt in 2011-12. MU will play its first men’s lacrosse season in the spring of 2013 as an NCAA Division I independent. Marquette will then become a full member of the Big East Conference in men’s and women’s lacrosse beginning with the 2014 season.

MU announced the addition of varsity men’s and women’s lacrosse in December 2010, and Amplo was named MU’s head men’s lacrosse coach on Feb. 4, 2011. He has since been joined by top assistant coach Stephen Brundage and assistant coach John Orsen.

Amplo, formerly the associate head coach at Hoftra University, and his coaching staff will continue to recruit through the 2011-12 academic year. The average men’s lacrosse roster size at the NCAA Division I level is nearly 45 student-athletes.

2011-2012 Marquette University Men’s Lacrosse Roster

Name Pos Yr Hometown High School Previous College
Steve Abba D So Niskayuna, NY Niskayuna Hofstra
Bryan Badolato A Jr West Islip, NY West Islip Sacred Heart
Matt Barry D So Rolling Meadows, IL Saint Viator Denver
Tyler Burhans G Fr Bayville, NY Locust Valley
Michael Burke A/M Jr Caledon, ON Hill Academy Hofstra
Liam Byrnes D Fr West Islip, NY West Islip
Cullen Cassidy M Jr Potomac, MD Landon School Hofstra
Grant Dressen G Fr Wayzata, MN Blake School
Ben Dvorak M So St. Charles, IL St. Charles North Bellarmine
Nick Fotsch D Fr Sausalito, CA St. Ignatius Prep
Charley Gargano D Fr Brightwaters, NY Bay Shore
Tyler Gilligan M Fr Whitby, ON Hill Academy
B.J. Grill D Fr Bridgewater, NJ Bridgewater-Raritan
Connor Hewett M So Westfield, NJ Westfield Franklin & Marshall
K.C. Kennedy M Fr Bloomfield Hills, MI Brother Rice
Matt Melnyk M Jr Calgary, AB Bishop O’Byrne Presbyterian
Tyler Melnyk A Jr Calgary, AB Central Memorial Presbyterian
Dan Mojica D Fr Springfield, PA Springfield-D
Jerry Nobile D Jr Bay Shore, NY West Islip Hofstra
James Ravaret M So Glen Ellyn, IL Glenbard West Hofstra
Travis Shelhorn D Fr Farmingdale, NY Farmingdale
Andrew Smistad M So Calgary, AB Central Memorial Presbyterian
Alex Utt D Fr Terrace Park, OH Mariemont
Kyle Whitlow A Fr Coldwater, ON Hill Academy
Greg Willey M Fr St. Louis, MO Chaminade Prep

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/13/11

Springfield-Delco rising senior midfielder Maddy Lynch has committed to play Division I lacrosse at Princeton University and begin the admission process to attend the Ivy League school.

Springfield-Delco rising senior midfielder Maddy Lynch has committed to Princeton

Lynch was a First Team US Lacrosse All-America pick this year when she collected 87 goals, 26 assists 59 groundballs and 49 draw controls, helping the Cougars share the Central League title with three teams. Springfield-Delco finished 21-4 while reaching the District 1 semifinals and the state quarterfinals.

Lynch, who plays club lacrosse for the Phantastix, also earned US Lacrosse Academic All-American and played on the Philly 1 team at the National Tournament. She is ranked No. 3 in her class.

“I chose Princeton because I thought it would be the best fit for me overall,” said Lynch, who will play for Hall of Fame coach Chris Sailer (Haverford High alum). “The coaches are great and the campus is beautiful. Also, it was close to home, which was important to me.”

Lynch said the Cougars succeeded in 2011 despite fielding a young team and believes the team can contend for a state title in 2012. Springfield-Delco reached the state finals in 2010.

“Looking back on the 2011 season, I am very proud of how my team performed,” she said. “We were young and had big shoes to fill after graduating 11 seniors.

“I have high hopes for next year. We will only continue to improve, and I would love to get back to Hershey for the State Championship game.”

Note: Student athletes applying to Ivy League schools must continue through the admissions process