Seven Philly recruits listed among tops in nation in Division I by Inside Lacrosse magazine

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/16/09

A number of Philly boys have been cited among the nation’s top incoming Division I freshmen in the September issue of Inside Lacrosse magazine.

Inside Lacrosse listed seven Philly players – four from two-time state champion La Salle – among the Men’s D1 Power 100 top incoming freshmen. The group includes Georgetown long stick midfielder Tyler Knarr (No. 12, La Salle graduate), Johns Hopkins defenseman Tucker Durkin (No. 16, La Salle), Maryland goalie Niko Amato (No. 19, La Salle), Duke goalie Dan Wigrizer (No. 29, Haverford School), Duke defenseman Billy Conners (No. 41, Malvern Prep), Harvard midfielder Peter Schwartz (No. 63, La Salle), and Syracuse goalie Matt Lerman (No. 81, Episcopal Academy).

Johns Hopkins was listed as having the top recruiting class, led by a defense that includes Durkin – the Phillylacrosse.com Player of the Year – and No. 9 Chris Lightner of Calvert Hall (Md.).

Inside Lacrosse also rated the top players at each position. Knarr was No 3 on defense, while Durkin was No. 4, Conners was No. 8, Lehigh’s Mike Noone (La Salle) was 30 and Delaware’s James Connelly (Malvern Prep) was No. 37.

At the goalie position, Amato was rated the No. 1 keeper in the nation while Wigrizer was No. 4 and Lerman was No. 7.

Amato, Durkin and Schwartz led La Salle to a 7-3 triumph over Conestoga in the first Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association championship game this year. Knarr missed the final 6 weeks of the season with recurring knee problems, but played brilliantly in the Under Armour All-American Game, winning 21 of 31 face-offs.

At midfield, Schwartz was No. 24.

Meanwhile at attack, Penn’s Rob Fitzpatrick (Loyola Blakefield, MD) is No. 18 (No. 62 overall) and Villanova’s Jack Rice (Boys’ Latin, MD) is No. 40. On defense, Penn had two recruits among the Top 40, Alex Bement (Loyola Blakefield) at No. 32. and Paul Swann (St. Mary’s, TX) at No. 36.

Inside Lacrosse Recap

Top Division I Freshmen:

Georgetown’s Tyler Knarr (La Salle) – No. 12

Johns Hopkins’ Tucker Durkin (La Salle) – No. 16

Maryland’s Niko Amato (La Salle) – No. 19

Duke’s Dan Wigrizer (Haverford School) – No. 29

Duke’s Billy Conners (Malvern Prep) – No. 41

Harvard’s Peter Schwartz (La Salle) – No. 63

Syracuse’s Matt Lerman (Episcopal Academy) – No. 81

Top Defensemen:

Knarr – No. 3

Durkin – No. 4

Conners – No. 8

Lehigh’s Mike Noone (La Salle) – No. 30

Delaware’s James Connelly (Malvern Prep) – No. 37

Top Midfielders:

Schwartz – No. 24

Top Goalies:

Amato – No. 1

Wigrizer – No. 4

Lerman – No. 7