By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/27/10
Malvern Prep rising senior attackman Mike Dougherty has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at St. Joseph’s University.
Dougherty was an Honorable Mention Inter-Ac League pick in 2010 for the Friars, who shared the league crown with Haverford School. Dougherty, who plays for the Duke’s Lacrosse Club, scored 25 goals last year for Malvern Prep.
Dougherty plans to major in business and study either finance or accounting. He said a big draw was St. Joseph’s move from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference to the Colonial Athletic Association, which includes Drexel, Delaware, Penn State, UMass, Hofstra and Towson.
“I like the conference change and the chance to play against good competition,” said Dougherty. “Plus, my sister goes there.
“I have been to the campus and I really like the school. It’s close to home. Also, I like the coaching staff a lot.”
Dougherty joins Avon Grove defenseman Kevin Barrow and Downingtown West goalie Dustin Keen as recent St. Joe’s commits. Both also are Duke’s LC members.
Dougherty is the fourth member of the rising senior class at Malvern Prep to commit to a Division I college. The others are face-off specialist Drew Kennedy (Johns Hopkins), midfielder Vince Travaglini (Massachusetts) and attackman TJ Hanzsche (Navy). Also rising junior defenseman Eddie Morris has committed to Johns Hopkins.
Dougherty said the 2010 season was a success. The highlight was beating Haverford School twice. Dougherty had the game-winner in the second meeting, a 7-6 Friars win. He also scored twice in the first victory, a 9-7 victory.
“It’s always great for Malvern Prep to come out on top of Haverford,” said Dougherty. “I feel we played well last year and accomplished almost all of our goals. We came together as a team and had some great wins.”
