Women’s recruit: Episcopal Academy rising senior midfielder Craft commits to Franklin and Marshall

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/29/11

Episcopal Academy rising senior midfielder Madison Craft has committed to play Division III lacrosse at Franklin and Marshall College.

Craft helped EA win the Inter-Ac League and Pennsylvania Independent Schools championships in 2011. She plays club lacrosse for the Phantastix.

She earned Academic honors in 9th, 10th and 11th grades and attended the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine.

Craft plans to major in biology and psychology in preparation for a career in medicine.

“I chose F&M because the campus is beautiful, it’s academically challenging and they have a great lacrosse program,” she said. “The chemistry on the team really sold me on the school.”

The Diplomats won the national title in 2007 and 2009. The team is coached by Lauren Paul.

“Everyone seems so close and they all look like they love where they are, which is huge for me,” she said. “They have always been a top ranked team in their conference and division, winning the National Championship twice and the Centennial Conference five times in the past five years.

“I would be honored to become a part of such a talented team and have the possibility to win a National Championship title.”

Craft understands that EA lost a talented senior class and will be reloading under first-year coach Amanda Vos Strache.

“We’ve lost a lot of really talented lacrosse players and it is going to be very different, but there’s so much talent still remaining on the team that some of the girls have yet to show,” Craft said. “When girls graduate, we are forced to come even closer as a team.

“I think we’re going to surprise a lot of people this season, and I can’t wait to show off our talent. I have no doubt that we will be one of the top lacrosse programs in the Inter-Ac and hopefully we can win the PAISAA championship again, especially with the great leadership and talent of our new coach, Amanda Vos Strache.”

Craft wished to thank Vos Strache, Cinnie Goldberg, Phantastix assistant coach Lorraine Beers and, her mother for their help in the recruiting process.