Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/28/13
From Press Release
Rising senior John LoCascio, 2011 graduate Brian Karalunas, 2012 graduate Kevin Cunningham and 2013 graduate Jack Rice were among the players selected to tryout for the United States Men’s Lacrosse National Team late next month.
The foursome will compete with 94 of their peers during the August 30-September 1 trials that will be held at Goucher College in Towson, Md. Forty players will emerge from the roster cut following the weekend and begin preparation for the Federation of International Lacrosse (FIL) World Championships that will be held July 10-14, 2014, in Denver.
LoCascio is the only long-stick midfielder to be a current collegiate player, and is one of just seven players with remaining college eligibility selected to compete in the camp. The native of Fairfield, N.J., earned All-America Third Team honors in May from the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association after solidifying his position as one of the top defensemen in the nation. He is the reigning BIG EAST Defensive Player of the Year and will begin his second year as a co-captain for the Wildcats in 2013-14.
Rice finished his career as one of the most decorated men’s lacrosse student-athletes in program history after becoming Villanova’s all-time leading goal scorer with 128 career goals. He was a three-time All-BIG EAST selection in 2011, 2012 and 2013 and was named to the Tewaaraton Trophy Watch List during the 2012 and 2013 seasons. As a four year starter on attack, Rice appeared in all 61 games of his career while making 59 starts and recorded 128 goals and four assists for 132 career points.
Karalunas and Cunningham both earned invitations to the camp after moving on to the professional ranks of Major League Lacrosse (MLL). Both were named 2013 MLL All-Stars and have had outstanding seasons with the New York Lizards and Hamilton Nationals.
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As a Wildcat, Cunningham finished his career earning USILA Honorable Mention All-America, BIG EAST Attack Player of the Year, First Team All-BIG EAST and Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors during the 2012 season.
The attackman was also a Tewaaraton Trophy nominee and concluded his four-year career with 69 goals, 81 assists, and joined the prestigious club of athletes who’ve eclipsed the 100-point mark with 150 career points. Cunningham currently ranks 4th all-time with 81 assists, 5th all-time with 150 points and 14th all-time with 69 goals.
Karalunas led Villanova to its second NCAA Championship bid in three years in 2009 and 2011 and became the program’s first USILA first-team All-America and three-time all-american selection. In 2011, Karalunas led the NCAA for the second straight year in caused turnovers per game (4.38), and graduated as Villanova’s and the NCAA career leader in the category. He finished his career ninth all-time at Villanova with 213 ground balls and was named the 2011-12 American Eagle Outfitters BIG EAST Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
A total of 156 players submitted tryout applications, which were considered by a selection committee including current and past U.S. men’s national team coaches and players, as well as current college and professional coaches. U.S. team head coach Richie Meade will oversee the tryout process.
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