By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, posted 1/4/11
Garnet Valley senior defenseman Benny Baiocco has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at High Point University (N.C.).
Baiocco was an Honorable Mention Central League pick last year for the Jaguars, who went 17-6 and placed third in the District 1 tournament. Baiocco played club lacrosse for Mesa Fresh 2011 and last June was selected to play in the Eastern Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association Showcase.
Baiocco is the second Philly senior to commit to High Point, a new program that will began playing a Division I schedule in 2013. The other Philly recruit is Haverford School defenseman Vince Garman.
Baiocco also is the fourth Garnet Valley defenseman to commit to a Division I college, and fifth overall. Already, senior Alex Warden (LSM) has committed to Air Force, junior Ryan Lehman has committed to Maryland and junior Ryan Guittare has committed to Penn State. Also, junior attackman Jules Raucci has committed to Drexel.
Baoicco said he was drawn to High Point coach Jon Torpey, who will take over as head coach after he concludes this year in his role as top assistant at Dartmouth. Torpey played pro lacrosse for the Philadelphia Wings (indoor) and the former Philadelphia Barrage (outdoor).
“When I visited High Point I fell in love with it; the campus was beautiful everywhere you went,” said Baiocco, who plans to major in Physical Education and minor in Business. “Talking to coach Torpey one-on-one in his office made my decision even easier.
“He seemed like a great guy who had good expectations. He wants to win as soon as we get out there. I am a pretty competitive person and he is a pretty competitive person so I am looking forward to it. Obviously, we’ll be underdogs because we’ll be so young, but we want to prove what high Point has to offer.”
Baiocco said he has become good friends with Garman, whom he played with during the summer on the Delco entry in the Keystone State Games.
Baiocco is confident the Jaguars can challenge for the Central League crown.
“No doubt about it, we can play with anyone,” he said. “We have out whole defense coming back and we have a lot of skilled offensive guys.
“Every day in school our defense sees each other and talks about the coming season. It’s getting close and we are real excited about it.”
