By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/30/09
Emmaus senior midfielder Alex Kuehner has committed to play Division III lacrosse at Stevenson University.
Kuehner had 31 goals and 23 in 2009 assists and helped the Hornets finish 19-6 advance to the quarterfinals of the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association playoffs. Kuehner, also a member of the Duke’s Lacrosse Club, helped Emmaus win both the Lehigh Valley Conference and District 11 championships.
Kuehner made a verbal commitment to play at Division I Bellarmine (KY) late in the summer. But he decommitted and was pleased to choose the Division III power Mustangs, who reached the NCAA semifinals last year and were ranked No. 1 in the nation for much of the season.
“They actually contacted me before Bellermine did and I had an official visit scheduled,” said Kuehner who is undecided on a major. “They were always on my list.
“They were No. 1 in D3. It’s a really good school and a really nice area (Stevenson, MD). They have a really good coach (former Philadelphia Wing Paul Cantabene). It seemed a lot better (for me) than Bellarmine.”
Kuehner is optimistic about the 2010 scholastic season. Emmaus has four seniors that have committed or signed with Division I colleges; defenseman Ty Souders (signed with Lehigh), midfielder Tate Klidonas (signed Hartford), defenseman Mike Bender (signed with Bellarmine) and long stick midfielder Ben Sampson (committed to Navy). Also, attackman Will Scott has committed to Dickinson and several other Green Hornets are close to committing to Division III schools.
Kuehner believes his team can contend for a state title.
“We’re training real hard and we think we can beat just about anyone,” said Kuehner. “We lost in quarterfinals last year (to Conestoga) and it was a close game until the last quarter. I think we have a really good shot at (contending).”
