By Chris Goldberg
Philllyacrosse.com, Posted 10/25/10
Bishop Shanahan junior defenseman Chris Panichelli has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Drexel University.
Panichelli was a Second Team Ches-Mont League pick in 2010 for Henderson. He transferred during the summer to Shanahan.
Panichelli was listed as the No. 20 Young Gun by Inside Lacrosse in its summer recruiting issue for rising juniors. Recently, he was listed as the No. 22 junior by ESPN RISE. Panichelli, who plays for the Duke’s Lacrosse Club, also competed in the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association Showcase in June.
Panichelli, who also considered Penn State and Maryland, was drawn to the Philly school because of its strong co-operating program, coach Brian Voelker and its recent success.
“Academically, out of all the colleges I looked at, I really thought this was the best place for me,” said Panichelli, who plans to major in Marketing or another business-related subject. “I really like the co-op program. It gives you that extra bit of experience you need when you graduate.
“I also really liked coach Voelker. That was a big part in my decision. I also could see myself jelling with the rest of the team. And the team did pretty well last year.”
The Dragons went 10-5in 2010, and were ranked in the Top 10 for much of the season.
“I feel like I can come in and make an impact pretty quickly and I am going to keep getting stronger and bigger,” Panichelli said. “Hopefully, I’ll get on the field pretty early.”
“I grew up 20 minutes from Philly and I love going to Phillies games and Eagles games,” he said. “I love being a part of Philadelphia. Also, the NCAA tournament will be there (hosted by Drexel and held at Lincoln Financial Field) my freshman year. That will be awesome; I am really looking forward to that.”
Panichelli is the second Shanahan player to commit to a Division I college; the first was attackman Keegan Lawton (Lafayette).
Panichelli is confident the Eagles con be a major factor in the Ches-Mont League race in 2011.
“We have a great coaching staff and it’s a long way until spring, but I feel like we can contend and be at the top,” he said.
