Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/22/17
From Press Release
Lehigh head men’s lacrosse coach Kevin Cassese announced the Mountain Hawks’ incoming class on Tuesday, a class that features 14 incoming freshmen and a transfer. These newcomers hail from all over the continent, including Pennsylvania (6), New York (2), New Jersey (1), Massachusetts (1), Virginia (1), Florida (1), California (1), Washington (1), and Ontario (1).
To take an in-depth look at all 15 incomers, please see below.
Justin Angelel • M • Bellevue, Wash. • Computer Science and Management
Angelel was a US Lacrosse All-American and Academic All-American at Bellevue High School. He was also a first team All-League honoree for the three-time Washington State Lacrosse champions (2014, 2016 and 2017). Angelel was a four-year varsity lacrosse player and two-time captain. He won the Unsung Hero Award as a sophomore while also garnering second team All-League and finishing second at states. Angelel was also a senior captain for the football team, earning honorable mention All-League as an outside linebacker. In total, Angelel garnered seven varsity letters and won six state championships (four lacrosse and two football). In the classroom, he was a 4.0 valedictorian and three-year member of the National Honor Society. Angelel garnered the Dr. Michael Riley Scholarship Award for excellence in academics, activities and leadership. He was an AP Scholar with Distinction and was a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete finalist.
Sam Charlton • LSM/D • Berwyn, Pa. • Arts and Sciences
A two-year starter at long-stick midfield for Malvern Prep, Charlton played three years of varsity lacrosse. He wrapped up his career as a senior by tallying 39 groundballs, a goal and four assists, helping Malvern Prep to a 17-6 record. Charlton played for NXT Lacrosse Club for three years as well, serving as starting long-stick midfield. He also ran varsity cross country for three years. Strong off the field, Charlton was part of the ski club, fishing club and took a mission service trip to Peru. In the classroom, he graduated with a 3.79 GPA, receiving first honors all four years. Charlton also garnered the distinguished honors art award for photography.
Matt Douglas • D • Randolph, N.J. • Arts and Sciences
Douglas racked in the honors following a tremendous senior season on the lacrosse field for Delbarton School. In 2017, he was named the Star Ledger/NJ.com State of New Jersey Player of the Year. Douglas was a USILA All-American, was named first team All-State (NJ.com), first team All-New Jersey (News12Varsity), first team All-Non-Public (NJ.com), second team All-Metro (N.J./N.Y./Conn.) (News12Varsity), Player of the Year (Fitch-Pitt Conference) and Gil Gibbs New Jersey All-Star. In addition, he was the 2017 Delbarton School Morris County Scholar-Athlete Award recipient. Douglas was captain of a team that won the Morris County Championship, Non-Public A Title and TOC Championship in both 2016 and 2017. As a junior, Douglas was a member of the Under Armour All-America Underclass team while garnering several other All-Conference and All-Region honors. Also a standout in basketball, Douglas was named first team All-Conference and first team All-NJAC United Division as a senior while winning MVP of the J.P. Flynn Holiday Tournament. As a junior, he was captain of the NJAC United Division Champions. On the football field, Douglas garnered honorable mention All-Conference his junior campaign as a strong safety.
Kevin Gersbeck • M • Miller Place, N.Y. • Arts and Sciences
A four-year varsity starter at Miller Place High School, Gersbeck was a two-year captain, All-League and All-County honoree. He was also chosen as a top 20 player in Suffolk County in 2014, 2015 and 2016. Two-time top 100 Player to Watch on Long Island, Gersbeck was ranked 65th in the Tri-State area. Gersbeck was a multi-sport athlete, who was also a three-year varsity player, two-year starter and captain in football. He was named All-League, All-County and honorable mention All-State. Gersbeck led Long Island in receiving touchdowns and was third in receiving yards, while breaking the school record for most receiving yards and touchdown receptions. Also strong in the classroom, Gersbeck was a member of the National Honor Society, part of Athletes Helping Athletes and was chosen and trained as a Natural Helper.
Matt Ilchuk • A • Bay Shore, N.Y. • Arts and Sciences
Out of Bay Shore High School, Ilchuk finished his varsity lacrosse career with 190 points behind 86 goals and 104 assists. He was a five-year varsity letterwinner (2013-17), a two-time captain and a two-time Long Island Top 20 Showcase selection. Named a Newsday Top 100 Player on Long Island in 2016 and 2017, Ilchuk was the 2016 Suffolk County assist leader and stood top 10 in Suffolk County in total points. He was the 2014 Suffolk League I Rookie of the Year, and a two-time Suffolk All-County selection in 2016 and 2017. Ilchuk was a 2016 Under Armour Underclass All-America selection and an Inside Lacrosse Committed Academy selection the following year. In addition, he was the 2017 Bay Shore Lacrosse Keith Knacke Memorial Scholarship recipient, a senior award for leadership, scholarship and athletic achievement). A two-sport athlete, Ilchuk was a four-year varsity letterwinner, three-time first team Suffolk County All-Division selection and two-time captain in football. Ilchuk finished his career with 3,960 total yards and 45 touchdowns versus just eight interceptions. He was a two-time Newsday Top 100 player, and Newsdays’ 2016 Long Island Player to Watch. Ilchuk was named to the 2016 Hansen Award Watch List, and was MVP of the Suffolk County Exceptional Senior Game. Recipient of his school’s 2017 Billy Knapp Memorial Award for athletic and academic achievement, leadership, character and community service, Ilchuk also garnered the NYS Scholar-Athlete Award from 2013-17. He won the Town of Islip Scholar-Athlete Award and was the BSHS winner of the Wendy’s High School Heisman.
Teddy Leggett • LSM/D • Vaughan, Ontario • Engineering
Out of The Hill Academy, the same school as current senior Nolan Apers and former Mountain Hawks’ standout Patrick Corbett, Leggett was a team captain as a senior. He helped lead The Hill Academy to a 15-1 record, winning the Inaugural Geico High School Lacrosse National Championship. The year prior, The Hill Academy was ranked the No. 1 high school team by USA Today and Inside Lacrosse. That fall, the team scrimmaged the USA Under-19 team and won. Also strong in the classroom, Leggett graduated as the school’s valedictorian and was the recipient of the school’s Science Award. Leggett is also a member of the Six Nations Arrows of the Ontario Lacrosse Association (OLA) Junior “A” Lacrosse League. The Arrows are currently competing as the top seed in the 2017 Minto Cup, which is the Canadian Junior “A” lacrosse national championship. The Arrows have won three of the last four OLA league championships and two of the last three Minto Cups.
Liam Lynch • M • Foxboro, Mass. • Arts and Sciences
Standout lacrosse and hockey player at Brewster Academy, Lynch was a Lakes Region All-Star in lacrosse as a senior. He was also a varsity captain in both lacrosse and hockey. Lynch was junior class president while he graduated Magna Cum Laude – earning high honors every trimester as both a junior and senior. Lynch took part in Gold Key as well, providing tours of the school to prospective students. He also starred at Foxboro High School his freshman and sophomore years, which included Sun Chronicle All-Star recognition in both lacrosse and hockey as a sophomore. Lynch was MVP of his hockey team that year while in the classroom, was on the honor roll every semester.
Nick Marren • D • Perkiomenville, Pa. • Arts and Sciences
First team All-Area as a sophomore, junior and senior at Perkiomen Valley High School, Marren was also All-Area honorable mention as a freshman. The four-year starter was a senior captain, garnering first team All PAC-10 three times after receiving honorable mention his freshman campaign. Marren won the Perkiomen Valley Hard Hat Award in 2016 and Perkiomen Valley Michael Hersh Award in 2017. Also a standout football player, Marren was a varsity starter at inside linebacker his final three years, helping his team to the PAC-10 championship in 2014 and 2016. A second team All-PAC-10 honoree as a junior and first team member as a senior, Marren was named a Monday Morning Quarterback Player of the Week in 2016, and received the Viking Award in 2016 as well.
Denny Nealon • A • Garnet Valley, Pa. • Arts and Sciences
The fourth-leading scorer in school history, Nealon enjoyed an impressive career at Garnet Valley High School. He was a two-time Team Philly Under Armour Underclass member, three-time All-Central and three-time All-Delco honoree. Three times, Nealon was the team’s Offensive Player of the Year. A multi-sport standout, he was an All-Delco and All-Central defensive back in football. Nealon was strong in the classroom as an honor roll member and two-time Ambassador Award winner.
David Peterson • D/LSM • Menlo Park, Calif. • Business
Multi-sport standout at Sacred Heart Prep (in California), Peterson was named PAL (Peninsula Athletic League) first team All-League in varsity lacrosse in each of his final three seasons, while also garnering Defensive MVP honors in 2017. The four-year varsity starter was named team MVP and was a captain his senior season. Peterson was also a standout basketball and football player. In football, Peterson was team captain, a first team All-League honoree and the team’s Defensive MVP as a senior. The year prior, he was named first team All-CCS Underclass and first team All-Daily News. Peterson led his team to a CCS and Norcal Championship, finishing as D3 state runners-up. Peterson was awarded at his school’s honors convocation as a person whom the administration believes embodies the school’s Goal 4 the most, one of the five goals of the school that is highly respected (“The building of a community as a Christian value.”). Outside of lacrosse, Peterson was on the Student Executive Council in the 10th grade and worked with Associate Student Body Activities the next two years, dealing with building community throughout the school. He was heavily involved in a number of other initiatives as well, serving as Founder and President of the Holiday Club, being a part of Sacred Heart Society and much more.
Josh Reiss • M • Charlottesville, Va. • Business
Reiss was a varsity starter every year at St. Anne’s Belfield, garnering All-Prep Newcomer of the Year recognition. He helped lead his team to the state title in 2015 and a return trip to the finals in 2016 when he was named the St. Anne’s Belfield Midfielder of the Year. Reiss went on to do a postgraduate year in 2016-17 at Founders League school Trinity Pawling, in Pawling, New York. He was a standout midfielder and garnered the Trinity Pawling Lacrosse Coaches Award. Reiss was also strong in the classroom, earning first honors all four years at St. Anne’s Belfield and garnering the President’s Award for academic achievement.
James Spence • G • Springfield, Pa. • Engineering
Brother of Lehigh junior midfielder Lucas Spence, James was a two-time All-American goaltender for Springfield-Delco High School. He finished his career with 78 wins and 855 saves, good for a 63.2 save percentage. Spence was also named a three-time All-Central League and two-time All-State honoree. He was three-time All-Delaware County, Central League MVP, Delaware County MVP, All-South-Eastern PA MVP and Philly Lacrosse Co-MVP. Spence helped Springfield to back-to-back state championships and District I titles in 2016 and 2017. He also made the Philadelphia Under Armour All-America lacrosse team as a rising senior. A multi-sport athlete, Spence was also a standout on the Springfield High School ice hockey team. Strong in the classroom, he was a member of the National Honor Society and leader in FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America).
Hayden Trautmann • D • Huntingdon Valley, Pa. • Engineering
A three-time first team All-League honoree, Trautmann earned All-State and All-America honors as a senior at Academy of the New Church. He was a two-time team captain, as a junior and senior, who garnered the Exemplary Athlete Award his senior season. Trautmann impressed off the field as well, serving as Class President. In the classroom, he was an honor roll student and member of the National Honor Society.
Joel Trucksess • M/FO • Perkasie, Pa. • Arts and Sciences
Trucksess was a standout at The Haverford School, earning Team MVP honors as a senior and finishing his career with the most faceoffs taken in a year (472). He was a first team All-League (Inter-AC) honoree while also garnering Inter AC tournament semifinals MVP in his career. Trucksess was named to the 2017 All-Southeastern Pa. boys’ lacrosse team, helping Haverford to the Inter-AC championship. In his career, Trucksess was also a Lehigh Valley Futures All-Star, a Brine All-Star, SEPYLA All-Star and Bucks County All-Star.
Alexander Tumminello • M • Fort Lauderdale, Fla. • Economics
A transfer out of the University of Maryland, Tumminello was an Academic All-Big Ten honoree in 2017 as a member of the national champion Terrapins. Tumminello made his collegiate debut at Princeton as a freshman in 2016. Before Maryland, Tumminello was a three-year letterwinner at Saint Thomas Aquinas High School, helping lead his team to a 52-10 record over his three years, including 21-1 as a senior. Tumminello tallied 134 career goals and 103 assists, including 60 goals and 42 assists as a senior. A first team selection by the Miami Herald and Sun Sentinel, Tumminello was twice named first team All-District, All-Region and All-County. Tumminello was twice named to the Academic Honor Roll as well.
No. – Name Pos. Ht./Wt. Hometown/Previous School Major/College
17 – Justin Angelel M 6-2/190 Bellevue, Wash./Bellevue High School Computer Science and Management
4 – Sam Charlton LSM/D 5-10/180 Berwyn, Pa./Malvern Prep Arts and Sciences
66 – Matt Douglas D 6-3/210 Randolph, N.J./Delbarton School Arts and Sciences
8 – Kevin Gersbeck M 5-9/175 Miller Place, N.Y./Miller Place High School Arts and Sciences
6 – Matt Ilchuk A 6-0/170 Bay Shore, N.Y./Bay Shore High School Arts and Sciences
18 – Teddy Leggett LSM/D 5-8/165 Vaughan, Ontario/The Hill Academy Engineering
31 – Liam Lynch M 5-7/180 Foxboro, Mass./Brewster Academy Arts and Sciences
26 – Nick Marren D 6-0/205 Perkiomenville, Pa./Perkiomen Valley High School Arts and Sciences
14 – Denny Nealon A 5-10/175 Garnet Valley, Pa./Garnet Valley High School Arts and Sciences
43 – David Peterson D/LSM 6-0/200 Menlo Park, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep Business
29 – Josh Reiss M 6-0/175 Charlottesville, Va./St. Anne’s-Belfield Business
9 – James Spence G 5-10/170 Springfield, Pa./Springfield High School Engineering
23 – Hayden Tratumann D 6-4/220 Huntington Valley, Pa./Academy of the New Church Engineering
41 – Alexander Tumminello M 5-10/185 Fort Lauderdale, Fla./University of Maryland/St. Thomas Aquinas Economics
2 – Joel Trucksess M/FO 5-11/165 Perkasie, Pa./Haverford School Arts and Sciences