By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 9/28/10
Garnet Valley junior defenseman Ryan Guittare has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Penn State University.
Guittare was an Honorable Mention Central League pick in 2010, helping the Jaguars (17-6) place third in the District 1 tournament and the Central League.
He plays for the Duke’s Lacrosse Club – for which he was named a captain – and competed in the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association Showcase in June, while also making the Fab 40 All-Star Team last November at the Philly Lacrosse Showcase.
Guittare, who also considered North Carolina, Maryland and Ohio State, is the first Philly recruit for first-year Nittany Lions coach Jeff Tambroni.
Originally, Guittare was not considering Penn State as a top choice. But he visited State College last weekend and was so impressed with first-year Lions coach Jeff Tambroni that he changed his mind.
“I had visited Penn State in my sophomore year and I really was set on some other schools,” said Guittare. “But talking to coach Tambroni and coaches (Chris) Doctor and (Peter) Toner, as well as the players, I could tell they are starting a new generation for Penn State lacrosse.
“This new process with everything – the way they practice, how they uphold themselves … It really caught my attention.”
Guittare was one of two Garnet Valley juniors to commit to a Division I school today; the other was Ryan Lehman (Maryland). Also, senior long stick midfielder Alex warden has committed to play Division I lacrosse at Air Force.
Guittare, an honor roll student, is undecided on a major, but is leaning toward business management.
Guittare noted that the entire Garnet Valley defense returns for 2011. The other starter is senior captain Benny Baiocco.
“Everyone is really excited for next season,” he said. “We return all four d-poles and a couple key offensive players. We lost some of our top scorers, but we have a bunch of young guys that are going to step up.
“Coach (Frank) Urso is going into his third year as head coach and you can tell from the winning that we have bought into his system. I think we return enough talent to make us a contender.”
Lehman wished to thank Garnet Valley head coach Frank Urso and assistant coach Matt Baker as well as the Duke’s LC coaches.
