 Local players well represented on most Top 20 teams in Division I If you’re interested in watching major college men’s lacrosse this year, you’ll also get the chance to see a large contingent of Philadelphia area products. Seventeen of the top 20 teams in Lacrosse magazine pre-season men’s poll have players on their roster from the area. In all, 62 Philadelphia-area student-athletes are on the rosters of top 20 teams. The following is s recap of Lacrosse magazine’s top 20 and the local talent:
1. Duke – Senior defender Tony McDevitt (Penn Charter) is a mainstay for a team that lost in the NCAA finals last year to Johns Hopkins, 12-11. McDevitt returns for his fifth season after the NCAA granted Blue Devils players the chance to play another full season following false rape allegations that ended the 2006 season after eight games. McDevitt, a pre-season all-American pick, had 44 groundballs last year and was named a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award for excelling on and off the field.
2. Virginia – Sophomore Ken Clausen (Hill School) enjoyed a brilliant freshman year on defense for the Cavaliers in 2007. He started in all 16 games and was second on the team in groundballs (66) and forced 17 turnovers. A key recruit is freshman attacker John Haldy (Haverford School).
3. Johns Hopkins – The defending champion Blue Jays have a distinct Philly flavor with seven local products on the roster. Junior midfielder Brian Christopher (Springfield-Delco) scored 10 goals last year and senior defensive midfielder George Castle (Penn Charter) played in all 17 games. Sophomore midfielder Greg Harrington (Hill School) and junior goalie Tim Everson (Abington) are vying for time. Kyle Wharton (Haverford School), midfielder Matt Dolente (Malvern Prep) and long-stick midfielder Eric DiProspero (Unionville) are top freshmen.
4. Georgetown – Senior attacker Brendan Cannon (Haverford School) led the Hoyas in scoring with 21 goals and 23 assists last year while earning second-team All-American and ECAC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Senior defender Chris Early (Radnor), senior midfielder Scott Kahoe (Radnor) and junior midfielder Todd Cochran (Conestoga) are all reserves.
5. Notre Dame – The Irish feature six Philadelphia products, led by junior midfielder Michael Podgajny (Ridley) and junior defender Sean Dougherty (Malvern Prep) – both honorable mention All-American selections. Podgajny was tied for second on the team in scoring last year with 26 goals and 33 assists while Dougherty started every game and scooped up 33 groundballs. Senior midfielder Bill Liva (Malvern Prep) started four games last year and sophomore attacker Duncan Swezey (Hatboro-Horsham) had nine goals and eight assists as a top reserve. Freshmen include defender Mike Creighton (Malvern Prep) and midfielder Adam Felicitti (Central Bucks East).
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