Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/9/09

Well over 100 Philly boys and girls are expected to sign National Letters of Intent to play Division I lacrosse this week during the early signing period, which runs from Wednesday until Nov. 18.

Already, 65 Philly girls and 59 Philly boys have made verbal commitments to Division I colleges. These numbers (114 in all) have already eclipsed the total number of Philly boys and girls that are playing Division I lacrosse from the Class of 2009 – which featured 61 boys and 60 girls. The signing dates also apply to those committed to Division II schools. Players headed to Ivy League schools and armed forces colleges do not sign Letters of Intent.

Several major recruiting tournaments in Philadelphia could boost these numbers even more for the boys. On Sunday Radnor hosted the inaugural Quaker Fall LaxFest, which included 16 of the top club teams from the Mid-Atlantic Region and beyond. Six Philly club powers also competed in the event, which drew more than 60 college coaches.

On Sunday at Haverford School, 12 teams will compete in the Mid-Atlantic Fall High School Showcase. The field includes two teams from host Haverford School, Springfield-Delco, Episcopal Academy, Wissahickon, a combo team from Conestoga and Germantown Academy, and two teams from Maryland power Georgetown Prep as well as one each from Washington D.C.’s Gonzaga.

The following Saturday, on Nov. 21, the inaugural Philly Lacrosse Showcase will be held at Episcopal. The event will feature many major Division I prospects in a group of more than 320 boys from the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. The event is expected to draw close to 100 coaches.

Many of the top girls’ club teams competed this past weekend at the Prime Time in Bel Air (MD) on Saturday and the Rivalry at the Navy Academy Sunday in Annapolis. Next weekend teams will compete in the Mid-Atlantic Tournament at McDonogh School (MD).