By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/22/10
Downingtown East rising senior defenseman Dan Gianforte has made a verbal
commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of Delaware.
Gianforte was a second team Ches-Mont League pick this year for a Cougars team that tied with Downingtown West for its fourth straight Ches-Mont title.
Gianforte was impressed with the Blue Hen lacrosse tradition and veteran coach Bob Shillinglaw, who led Delaware to the Colonial Athletic Association title and an NCAA berth this year. Gianforte will join Philly recruits Beau Jones (Germantown Academy, attackman) and Jeff Heath (St. Joseph’s Prep, midfielder) in Newark.
“Delaware is close to home and has great academics,” said Gianforte. “It seemed like the right fit for me. I really like the campus and my sister goes there.”
Gianforte also considered playing football in college. Last year he was an all-league performer at fullback for a squad that won the Ches-Mont League title and went to the District 1 semifinals. Gianforte, who is 6-2, 215, said he looked at several Patriot League football programs, but wanted to play Division I lacrosse.
Gianforte missed his sophomore year in lacrosse after tearing his labrum (shoulder) during the football season. This year he returned at full strength and next year he will serve as a captain.
The Cougars finished strong this spring in lacrosse, recovering from a slow start (1-5) and their first loss ever to Downingtown West. Downingtown East won its final six league games and advanced to the second round of the District 1 playoffs.
“We were definitely a really young team, but it was great to take it at the end of the year and win the Ches-Mont,” Gianforte said. “It will help for next year, too. We’re looking forward to it.”
Gianforte said playing football has helped his lacrosse game – and vice versa. “Lacrosse helps me in football with my footwork and football helps me in lacrosse with my toughness and and aggressiveness,” he said.
