Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/20/10

Several Philly grads will play key roles this year for Essex Community College (Md.), which is ranked No. 2 in the Inside Lacrosse Face-Off Yearbook Junior College rankings.

Essex reached the National Junior College Athletic Association championship game last year, bowing to Onondaga. The top returnee is long stick midfielder/close defenseman Neil Willis (Malvern Prep), who was named NJCAA Defensive Player of the Year in 2010 and is a pre-season All-American.

At midfield, Rocco Piliero (Downingtown East) returns after scoring 14 goals last year. Bobby Gildea (Springfield-Delco) is a key newcomer. On attack, Joey Jones (Abington) could make an immediate impact.