By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 11/1/10
Conestoga junior midfielder Adam Goins has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Notre Dame, the 2010 NCAA runner-up.
Goins was a contributor on a Pioneers team last year that won the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) championship and finished 24-2.
He becomes the fourth Conestoga junior to commit to a Division I college; the others are attackmen Bradlee Lord and Tyler Brooke (Maryland) and Connor Frisina (Massachusetts). Also, six Pioneer seniors – long stick midfielder Brian Dailey and MF Tanner Scott (Duke), MF Billy Flatley (Georgetown), MF Kevin Rudd (Bryant), defenseman Ben Karr (Ohio State) and goalie John Lopes (Penn) – have committed to Division I colleges.
Goins, who plays club lacrosse for Mesa Fresh 2012, lived in the suburbs of Chicago before moving East five years ago. He said he likes the Midwest and loved the campus at South Bend, Ind.
“I lived near Chicago and I love the Midwest,” said Goins, who is undecided on a major, but is leaning toward studying Business. “The school has a lot of tradition and there is a lot of excitement surrounding lacrosse.
“It’s such a strong academic school and has a good lacrosse program – you couldn’t ask for more.”
Notre Dame went 10-7 last year and barely made the NCAA playoffs, but caught fire in the tournament and took Duke to overtime, before bowing, 6-5, in the title game.
Goins missed much of the 2010 season after separating his shoulder early in the year. He returned to the lineup late in the season and then enjoyed a strong summer for Mesa Fresh 2012 and at the Blue Chip camp. Goins also is a starting safety on the Conestoga football team.
With its large number of Division I recruits, Conestoga will be a favorite to return to the state finals for the third straight year. Goins said the team just wants to reach its potential.
“As long as we have fun and play we’ll be fine,” he said. “Last year the seniors led the way and showed us how to bond with each other. That has transferred down to the younger guys.”
Goins wished to thank Conestoga coach Brian Samson and Mesa coaches Rob Lord and Peter Rohr for helping in his recruiting process.
