By Jake Adams
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/17/11
Downingtown West junior midfielder Eric Rankel has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Robert Morris.
Rankel was a First-Team Ches-Mont League pick in 2010 when he helped the Whippets claims a share of their first league crown. He plays club lacrosse for HEADstrong.
At Robert Morris, he will join his older brother, Tyler, already a regular (long stick midfielder) as a freshman.
Rankel, a frequent honor roll member in high school who also plays ice hockey, plans to study business.
“I was up there a few times with my brother, and I was just hanging out and I took a tour and all and I just really liked the program,” Rankel said. “And I liked where they’re going with the lacrosse program and I just really enjoyed the campus as a whole.”
Rankel was sold on the program’s determination and future direction when he met with the Colonials coach, Bear Davis.
“I met with the coach and he just talked about where they were going with their team and I really liked it,” Rankel said. “And they were really interested in me. It was really the best offer at the time and I just couldn’t deny it.”
Rankel also considered Villanova, Fairfield, Hartford and Hobart.
Rankel is the third member of the Whippets to commit to a Division I program. Senior goalie Dustin Keen has signed with St. Joseph’s and junior defenseman Mike Paoline has committed to St. John’s.
Rankel is is optimistic about the 2011 season.
“We have really high standards,” Rankel said. “We’re looking to repeat as Ches-Mont champions and then qualify for a bid for states and make a good run for that.”
