By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/20/09
Malvern Prep senior midfielder Bobby Hill has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Virginia.
Hill was a US Lacrosse All-American and a First-Team All-Phillylacrosse.com and Inter-Ac
League pick in 2009. Hill also played on the Philly boys’ team that placed third this summer in the Under Armour Underclassmen Games.
Hill, interested in studying business, said he has long wanted to go to Virginia.
“I always had my heart set on Virginia since I was young,” he said. ‘I never thought I would get recruited by them, but then it became the first place I visited.
“I really liked the coaching staff and they recently hired a new midfield coach (XX Walker) and that’s really good. The campus is excellent and, of course, their academics are great.”
Last year Virginia went 15-3 and fell to Cornell in the NCAA semifinals. The year before the Cavaliers lost to Syracuse in the championship game. At Charlottesville, Hill will get to play with two players from rival Haverford School, junior midfielder John Haldy and sophomore defenseman Peter Borror.
Hill helped the Friars tie with Haverford School for the Inter-Ac championship in the 2009 season. Aside from Hill, Malvern also returns North Carolina recruits Andrew O’Connell (goalie) and Ryan Creighton (midfielder) and a solid group of returnees.
Hill admitted that it was tough to see coach John McEvoy retire after the season, but he is optimistic about the future of the program under new coach Dan Keating.
“It is obviously tough losing coach Mack,” said Hill, who scored 25 goals last year. “He was the main reason I went to Malvern and he developed the lacrosse ability I have today.
“We have a different atmosphere now, and I am excited about it. We did lose some guys, but the new coaches have an off-season program and they are working with the guys every day.”
Seniors can sign a National Letter of Intent during the early-signing period Nov. 11-18.
Photo by Chris Spahr
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