Two Philly recruits among three that signed National Letters of Intent to play at Temple

Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/1/09
From Press Releases

Fourth-year Temple lacrosse coach Bonnie Rosen has signed three student-athletes – two from Philly – to join the Owls starting in 2010-11. Lea Britton (Holland, Pa./Council Rock South), Colleen Guinan (Paoli, Pa./Conestoga) and Kelly Syphard (Baltimore, Md./Mercy) have all committed to play lacrosse at Temple.

“We are so excited to have Lea, Colleen, and Kelly joining the Temple Lacrosse family,” said Rosen. “All three bring the key qualities that we look for in our student-athletes. They have demonstrated a strong commitment to academics, an excellent work ethic on the field, a team-first mentality, a desire to give back to others, and a love of the sport.

“As we continue to build upon our tradition of excellence, we are looking for student-athletes who have the athleticism, skill and winning mentality that support such a mission. I believe we have found three such student-athletes.”

Britton is a two-time all-league selection from Council Rock High School, for whom she scored 40 goals and had 17 assists as a junior. She has been honored all three years of her high school career by the Bucks County Courier Times, twice earning second-team “Golden Team” honors. Britton is also strong academically and is a member of the National Honor Society, French Honor Society and Math Honor Society. Britton’s sister, Danielle, was on the crew team at Temple and graduated in 2009.

“I am extremely excited to have made my decision to become part of the Temple lacrosse family,” said Britton. “I feel that Temple will help me to reach my potential both on the field and in the classroom.”

Guinan was a second team All-Main Line selection as a junior as well as a member of the Under Armour All-American Underclassmen Philly All Star Team. Guinan is an all-around student-athlete, having earned academic honors throughout her high school career as well as honors for her work in the community. She has twice earned a Service & Leadership Award, and as a junior she received a Character in Action award.

Guinan, like Britton, also has a Temple family connection as her grandfather is a Temple alum. “I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life and to be a part of not only the Temple community, but a part of Temple lacrosse,” said Guinan. “I am honored to say I get to play lacrosse as an Owl.”

Syphard is a Maryland Youth Lacrosse Association (MYLA) All-Star, and played in the National U-13 and U-15 tournaments representing Greater Baltimore. She has also been a three-year varsity letter winner in soccer at Mercy High School, a sport that runs in the family, but chose to continue her athletic career in lacrosse.

“It’s been my dream to play Division I lacrosse in college,” said Syphard. “I screamed out like a kid on Christmas morning when Coach Rosen contacted me with an offer. Temple has great history and I can’t wait to be part of taking the team to the next level.”