Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/31/19
From Press Release
Highlighted by five US Lacrosse All-Americans, head coach Ryan Polley (Malvern Prep) will welcome 19 newcomers to the Boston University men’s lacrosse team for the 2020 season, as announced on Thursday.
Eighteen true freshmen compose the incoming group while transfer Phil Wies joins the Terriers after spending the past two seasons at Towson. This is the program’s largest incoming class since the Class of 2018 arrived in Boston during the summer of 2014.
“We’re extremely excited for this year’s incoming class,” Polley said. “We believe this is our best recruiting class that we’ve ever brought to BU. It’s extremely deep with 19 players coming in, many of which we anticipate helping the team out next year. We believe there’s certainly some guys, from an athletic standpoint, that can come in and play at the Division I level right away. From a talent perspective, I think it’s deep in both the offensive and defensive ends, and we’re very excited at the goalie position with Noah coming in.”
Six attackmen, five midfielders, four close defenders, three long-stick midfielders and one goalkeeper make up this year’s newcomers. That group includes three of Massachusetts’ top recruits out of high school in Jason Child, Anthony Forziati and Patrick Morrison.
“It’s always been a goal of ours to keep one of the top five Massachusetts players home,” Polley said. “We’ve been successful doing that, and certainly graduating a player like James Burr last year shows how important a local kid who is not only productive on the field but a great leader in the community is for your program. We’re excited about Jason, Anthony and Patrick and believe all three young men will have wonderful careers here.”
Samuel Keyser (Glenside, Pa./Penn Charter), LSM
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Four-year varsity starter at Penn Charter … Earned First Team All-Inter-Ac as a senior and as a junior … Secured Second Team All-Inter-Ac accolades as a sophomore … Also captained the soccer team.
Coach Polley on Keyser: “Sam is another LSM who plays very well between the lines. He has a high IQ and a high motor. Sam is someone who I think could help us in a bunch of different places. He’s good in the transition game, he’s athletic enough to play good team defense, and his IQ allows him to be really strong in the riding and clearing games. Sam will add depth on our defense and we’re excited to see him play this fall.”
Collin Loughead (Swedesboro, N.J./Episcopal Academy), DEF
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played lacrosse at Episcopal Academy, where he started 43 consecutive varsity contests … Was a 2019 US Lacrosse All-American … Earned first team all-state honors as a senior captain and team MVP … Two-time First Team All-Delco honoree … Also earned First Team All-Inter-Ac and First Team All-Mainline accolades during his high school career … Also played varsity soccer.
Coach Polley on Loughead: “Collin is just a tremendous player. He’s physical, he’s tough and he has great feet that allow him to cover top attackmen. He’s improved his stick. He’s good in both the riding and the clearing game. He’s a fundamental defender and there’s not a lot that Collin isn’t strong at. We are really excited about Collin and his potential to come in and play for us right away.”
Jason Child (Needham, Mass./Needham)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four seasons of varsity lacrosse for Needham High School … Finished his career with 341 career points on 217 goals and 124 assists … Tabbed as 2019 Boston Lax Division I Offensive Player of the Year … Was a three-time EMLCA All-American, including first-team selections as a junior and a senior … Named a Boston Globe All-Scholastic and the Bay State League MVP as a junior and as a senior … Selected as his team’s MVP in 2018 and 2017 … Led the Bay State League in scoring as a sophomore … Was his squad’s leading scorer as a freshman en route to being named Needham’s Rookie of the Year … Also played football as a freshman and as a senior.
Coach Polley on Child: “Jason is a very decorated player and we’re excited for him to come in and continue to be a prolific scorer. We’re looking for him to play both midfield and attack for us. The thing we like about Jason is his toughness around the crease. He’s a fearless dodger who doesn’t shy away from contact.”
Vince D’Alto (Northport, N.Y./Kings Park)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four years of varsity lacrosse at Kings Park High School … Scored 43 goals and added 31 assists as a senior, earning All-Long Island, all-county and all-league honors … As a junior, tallied 34 goals and 26 assists en route to amassing all-league and all-county accolades … Notched 38 goals and 23 assists as a sophomore, receiving all-league and all-country recognition … Secured 19 goals and nine assists as a freshman … Also played football at Kings Park, totaling 1,490 yards, 18 touchdowns and 76 tackles in addition to all-state, All-Long Island, all-county and all-league honors.
Coach Polley on D’Alto: “Vince had a great high school career. We love his athleticism, we love his toughness and we think Vince is going to come in and compete for playing time at both midfield and attack. He’s versatile, he’s a good feeder, he’s explosive and he’s a very strong dodger.”
Mike Diiorio (Mendham, N.J./Salisbury School)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played three years of varsity lacrosse at Salisbury School … As a senior, helped lead squad to 16-0 season and a runner-up finish at GEICO High School Lacrosse Nationals … Listed as a player to watch at that tournament … Awarded the Bowler Lacrosse Award, which is given to the member of the Salisbury lacrosse team that best illustrates unselfishness, the willingness to go the extra yard for the team, makes those around him better players and people and embodies the spirit of the team before himself … After suffering season-ending injury as a sophomore, bounced back in his junior season to lead team to be co-champions of Western New England and runners-up at GEICO Nationals … Also played squash and soccer in high school.
Coach Polley on Diiorio: “Mike ran on the second line and was a transition midfielder for one of the best high school programs in the country. We’re looking for Mike to come in and give us some depth as a transition midfielder and also at the defensive midfield position. He’s athletic, he’s tough and we think he can do a lot of different things. We’re looking forward to seeing how his game translates at the college level.”
Anthony Forziati (Wakefield, Mass./Wakefield)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played three seasons of varsity lacrosse at Wakefield High School, starting at attack as a freshman and as a sophomore … Missed junior season and most of senior season due to injury … Named a 2019 Middlesex League All-Star and was a 2019 Boston Lax Second Team All-Star … Scored 100 points on 59 goals and 41 assists as a sophomore to lead Wakefield to a Middlesex League title … Selected as 2017 Middlesex League All-Star and 2017 Boston Lax First Team All-Underclassman … Notched 32 goals and 48 assists for 80 points as a freshman to help Wakefield win New England Small School championship … Selected as 2016 Pingree Offensive Player of the Year and named a Boston Globe All-Star … Also played three seasons of varsity hockey and one year of varsity golf.
Coach Polley on Forziati: “Anthony is an extremely explosive, prolific scorer. He is a tough dodger with a great stick. We envision him coming in and playing for us right away. He’s a tough cover and his best attributes are dodging through contact, being tough around the cage and scoring. He’ll look to be one of the guys that replaces the scoring loss from last year.”
Robert Gallop (Mount Kisco, N.Y./Berkshire School)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four seasons of varsity lacrosse for Berkshire School … Named to the Western New England Division 1 All-League Team as a sophomore and a junior … Captained the lacrosse team as a senior … Also played four seasons of varsity football, captaining the squad as a senior and winning the Hugh Caldara Bowl as a junior during a perfect 8-0 season.
Coach Polley on Gallop: “Robert’s probably the best athlete in this class. He was a tremendous lacrosse, football and ice hockey player. We see Robert as someone who can really help in our transition game as a defensive midfielder and a transition midfielder. We’ll also use him at the wing on faceoffs. Not only is he athletic, but he’s big, tough and strong. We think Robert can come in and play right away.”
Michael Gottlieb (Rye, N.Y./Brunswick School)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four years of varsity lacrosse at Brunswick School … Started as a midfielder his final two seasons … Led all midfielders in points as a senior to help Brunswick to a No. 11 national ranking … Named to Under Armour Underclass Connecticut Team as a junior after helping Brunswick finish the year ranked sixth in the nation … Ranked No. 34 in New England Lacrosse Journal’s Top 100 Players as a junior and was 36th in the nation in Inside Lacrosse’s Young Gun Junior rankings … Helped Brunswick win 2017 New England West Division 1 title … Was a member of Under Armour Underclass New England team as a freshman … Also played running back and linebacker on the football team.
Coach Polley on Gottlieb: “Michael is a great athlete who is extremely versatile. I wouldn’t be surprised if he played on one of our first two midfield lines or if he was a starting defensive midfielder for us. The thing that makes him so special is his ability to do different things. He’s a multi-sport athlete who is a very strong player between the lines. He gets up and down the field, and his toughness, IQ and ability to make plays will help us in the transition game as well as in the defensive end.”
Charlie Heinz (Western Springs, Ill./Lyons Township)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Was a four-year starter on the varsity lacrosse team at Lyons Township High School, including two years as captain … Named a 2019 US Lacrosse All-American … Also played football as a freshman and as a sophomore.
Coach Polley on Heinz: “Charlie is a big, physical defender for whom we have high expectations. For someone his size, Charlie has great feet. We expect him to come in and compete for playing time right away. He understands defense very well. He’s very physical, but at the same time possesses great feet and stickwork. He’s a great communicator and a really sound defender.”
Donnie Howard (Mercer Island, Wash./Mercer Island)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four years of varsity lacrosse at Mercer Island High School … 2019 US Lacrosse All-American … Captained team to state title as a senior en route to earning first team all-state honors … Earned 2019 United States Marines Corps Distinguished Athlete Award from his school … Helped Mercer Island finish runner-up in state tournament as a junior captain and as a sophomore … Was also a two-time state runner-up in wrestling.
Coach Polley on Howard: “Donnie is another one of those versatile players where we’re not sure exactly where we’re going to use him, but we do know that Donnie’s going to play for us. He faced off a little bit in high school and was also a very strong scorer from the midfield. We have him in our plans to play some offense, but at the same time, early in his career we can see Donnie as a wing on the faceoff or as a defensive midfielder. He’s athletic, he’s physical and he’s a great teammate. One of the things that I’m most excited about Donnie is his character and the way that people gravitate to him. He was the first one to commit to our summer school program and was able to have 12 other freshmen follow him. We’re really excited about his leadership abilities and we think he’s going to be a great player for us.”
Walker Ker (New Canaan, Conn./New Canaan)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played varsity lacrosse at New Canaan High School … Was a second-team all-state and First Team All-FCIAC as a senior … Also earned FCIAC All-East honors as a junior.
Coach Polley on Ker: “Walker is an athletic LSM who is great off the ground and has a great stick. He was a hockey player as well, so he was able to showcase his ground ball ability and hockey hands throughout his high school career. We’re looking for him to add depth at the LSM position and compete for playing time.”
Noah Klein (Baltimore, Md./Gilman School)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played two years of varsity lacrosse at Gilman School after earning two MVP awards at Friends School … As a senior, was a first team all-state honoree after being named as a preseason player to watch by the Baltimore Sun … Won the Gilman School Tyler Campbell Cup, which is the highest lacrosse honor awarded at the school … As a junior, led the Under Armour All-American Tournament in saves as he helped Team Baltimore to the title … Named as a preseason player to watch by the Baltimore Sun … Won the Gilman School Smith Cup, which is awarded to the most valuable newcomer … Also played football at Gilman and was a soccer captain and MVP at Friends School.
Coach Polley on Klein: “We’re extremely excited about Noah and his potential. I think his best attribute is his ball-stopping ability; he makes a lot of saves. He’s a student of the game who works very hard at his trade. He has improved very much over his two years. Noah is a wonderful kid and a natural-born leader who we’re excited to have come in and compete for playing time.”
Miles Lipton (Cumberland, Maine/Waynflete)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four seasons of varsity lacrosse at Waynflete … Two-time US Lacrosse All-American (2018, 2019) … Earned first team all-state honors as a junior and as a senior … Scored 46 goals and added nine assists as a senior midfielder to help Waynflete reach state semifinal … Won state title as a junior … Earned second team all-state accolades as a sophomore … Was an honorable mention all-state selection after helping squad reach state quarterfinals as a freshman … Also played soccer and basketball, earning second team all-state honors after winning state championship as a senior.
Coach Polley on Lipton: “Miles comes from a great family. The thing we like most about Miles is his ability to create separation. We’re going to look for Miles to initiate our offense. He has a great split dodge and a great change of direction from the midfield. He has improved significantly over the last two years and we’re really excited to see Miles play at this level and continue to improve.”
Roy Meyer (Long Beach, N.Y./Chaminade)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four years of lacrosse at Chaminade High School … Selected as a Top 100 player on Long Island by Newsday in 2019 … Earned LSM of the Year as well as All-League accolades from the NSCHSAA as a senior … Chosen for the 2019 FLG All-Long Island Team … Won the Long Island Catholic League and New York State Catholic titles as a junior en route to NSCHSAA All-League honors … Also captained his soccer team as a freshman and as a sophomore.
Coach Polley on Meyer: “Roy is a playmaking LSM. His best attribute is to put the ball on the ground, pick it up and create transition. He takes educated chances, but at the same time understands fundamentals and team defense. With the way we play and how we like to run transition, Roy was a good fit for us. He’s going to learn from two of the best LSMs in Chase Levesque and Reece Eddy. Roy is very much in that same type of build as a playmaker who creates a lot of turnovers and looks to create offense.”
Patrick Morrison (Franklin, Mass./Franklin)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four seasons of varsity lacrosse at Franklin High School … Four-time first team all-league honoree … Three-time EMass All-Star … Earned back-to-back EMLCA First Team All-America accolades (2018, 2019) … As a senior captain, collected first team all-state honors in addition to being named to Boston Herald All-Scholastic Team … Chosen as 2019 Boston Lax All-American … Named defensive MVP of his team each of his final three seasons … Also played basketball and football.
Coach Polley on Morrison: “Patrick has a great frame, is athletic and has really good feet from a basketball background. He’s in the same makeup as Roy where he’ll be looking to make plays on the defensive side by causing turnovers, getting the ball up and pushing transition. He improved the Franklin program and we’re looking forward to seeing him on the field.”
Thomas Niedringhaus (St. Louis, Mo./MICDS)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played varsity lacrosse at MICDS where he totaled 306 career points … Was a 2019 US Lacrosse All-American … Named a 2019 Adrenaline All-American and scored two goals, including the marker to force OT in his team’s victory, at the Adrenaline All-American Game … Earned first team all-state and first team all-conference honors each of the last three years … Elected as both a lacrosse and football captain as a senior … Was a 2018 Second Team All-Metro League selection in football and a 2017 Second Team All-Metro League honoree in lacrosse.
Coach Polley on Niedringhaus: “Thomas is a prolific offensive player. He’s versatile and can play both behind the cage at attack and above the cage at midfield. His size makes him a tough matchup. What sets Thomas apart is not only his size but his skill. He’s two-handed, he can get downhill by using his body and athleticism. He’s a good shooter and an excellent passer. He can dodge with contact and cause separation. He has a lot of tools and we’re excited to start working with him and find a good role for him within our offense.”
Louis Perfetto (Manhasset, N.Y./Manhasset)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four seasons of lacrosse at Manhasset High School … Led squad with 40 goals and 23 assists as a senior captain en route to earning all-state honors … Named to 2019 Newsday All-Long Island Team and was one of Newsday’s Top 100 Players on Long Island … Helped Manhasset win Nassau County and Long Island titles and advance to 2019 state semifinals … Won 2019 James C. Metzger Leadership Award, which is given to an outstanding senior leader on the field and in the community … Was an Inside Lacrosse Player to Watch and received second straight selection to FLG All-Long Island squad … Finished junior season with team-high 56 points (28g, 28a) … Earned all-state and all-county honors … Was an FLG Premier All-Star and played in the Nassau vs. Suffolk All-Star Game for the third straight season … As a sophomore, got called up to varsity team after serving as JV captain and helped Manhasset reach Nassau County finals … As a freshman, was recognized by Inside Lacrosse as a “player who impressed” on three separate occasions … Selected as a Maverik Showtime All-Star and was named to the US Lacrosse U15 All-Tournament Team … Also played basketball at Manhasset, where he was a senior captain who led the team in steals and assists … Helped Manhasset win Nassau County and Long Island titles and advance to 2019 state semifinals in basketball.
Coach Polley on Perfetto: “Louis is your prototypical X attackman. He’s most comfortable behind the cage distributing the ball. He had a great senior year and is in the mix as someone to come in and replace our lost production on offense. We see Louis playing behind the cage and getting his teammates involved, something we think he does really, really well.”
Jonathan Spiropoulos (West Friendship, Md./St. Paul’s School)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Played four years of varsity lacrosse at St. Paul’s School … Also competed on the varsity wrestling team for four seasons.
Coach Polley on Spiropoulos: “Jonathan is a fundamental defender who plays extremely hard. He uses his feet and hands really well. He’s a strong team defender who has a great IQ and is great within a scheme. What sets him apart is his work ethic and toughness.”
Phil Wies (Towson, Md./Towson)
BEFORE BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Transfer from Towson, where he played started all 15 games at attack the 2018 season … Was a CAA All-Rookie selection after he finished with 15 points on eight goals and seven assists … Scored his first collegiate goal against Mount St. Mary’s (Feb. 17) … Logged first career hat trick against Georgetown (Feb. 24), earning CAA Rookie of the Week honors … Recorded 13 ground balls, including three on two occasions … Played three years of varsity lacrosse at Loyola Blakefield, where he was the team’s offensive MVP as a senior in 2017 … Also played soccer and basketball in high school.
Coach Polley on Wies: “Phil is an experienced scorer. We’re excited to welcome him as a transfer. He’s going to give us a lefty presence. He’s a goal scorer who will play off-ball and will stretch the defense with his range. He’s going to end up on the back side after someone else initiates and we’re looking for Phil to come in and score goals for us.”