By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, posted 8/11/09
Conestoga rising senior attackman Austin Rogusky has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Loyola University.
Rogusky, a US Lacrosse All-American and first-team All-Central League pick in 2009, scored 48 goals and added 21 assists in 2009. He helped the Pioneers (24-2) claim the first District 1 championship and reach the finals of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association finals where they fell to La Salle, 7-3.
Rogusky, who plans to study business at Loyola, spent time with Conestoga grad and Loyola All-American P.T. Ricci during his visits.
“I really liked the environment and the players on the team,” said Rogusky. “I stayed with P.T. a couple times and he showed me around. They’re building a new stadium, and it will be amazing.”
Rogusky has mostly played midfield in his career and also played midfield this summer
for the Duke’s Lacrosse Club, which won its fourth straight Champ Camp title. He played exclusively attack in 2009 for Conestoga.
“I like middie, but I feel like my options are wide open now that I’ve played a full season at attack,” he said. “It’s my coach’s decision; if they need me to play attack, I’ll play attack.”
Rogusky is one of six rising seniors at Conestoga to commit to a Division I school. Ryan Buttenbaum (face-off specialist) and Matt Smith (attack) have committed to Lehigh, Ryan Lord (midfield) and Casey Ikeda (defenseman) have committed to Maryland and Peter Zonino (goalie) has committed to Hobart.
Rogusky said Conestoga’s success this year was a result of great team chemistry.
“I’ve been playing with all the kids since elementary school and I always knew we had great chemistry,” he said. “Last year we were mostly juniors and we just came together and went to the state finals.”
Rogusky, nicknamed “Rogo,” expects his team will be counted on to go back to the state finals next year.
“I welcome the challenge,” he said. “I can’t wait; my team definitely stepped up and (exceeded) expectations this year. But we’ve been playing so long together we just have the instincts to throw it to the next person who’s open. It’s just what we’ve been doing since we were young.”
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