On Wednesday, May 9, 2018, Upper Dublin seniors Dillon Lojeski, Nick Sowers & Jerry Bardol were recognized for committing to continue their lacrosse careers at the collegiate level. (Photos provided by UD lacrosse)
Jerry Bardol – Christopher Newport University (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Christopher Newport, Colgate, UMass
Reasons for choosing Christopher Newport: “I really liked the sense of community that Christopher Newport offered. It was a really appealing campus. I’m a beach person, and it’s very close to the beach. The coaches there are great.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I started thinking about it in middle school when I started playing for more elite club teams. Some of my friends were recruited at an earlier age, and I thought – I can do this too.”
Coach Dave Sowers says: “Jerry has just become the quarterback of the offense. Jerry saw a role as a sophomore, but he has just developed into a great lacrosse player and a super kid. Jerry’s strength is his poise. He’s just in control, he takes what the defense is giving him, and he doesn’t push unless he sees an opening. He’s very, very unselfish. I’m so proud of the player he’s developed into, and I know he’s going to do really well at the next level.”
About Jerry:
Favorite food: Chinese Food
Favorite movie: Step Brothers
Favorite music: Country & Rap
Dillon Lojeski – Saint Joseph’s University (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided possibly Business
Final list of colleges: St. Joseph’s, Temple, Cabrini
Reasons for choosing St. Joe’s: “I was considering Temple, a non-lacrosse school, and Cabrini for lacrosse and academics, but I chose St. Joe’s because of the location, the campus and the reputation the school has. I just thought it was a pretty good opportunity. Lacrosse plays a pretty big part of my life now, and I don’t see myself not playing it.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I definitely have always had a passion for lacrosse, and I knew that’s what I wanted to do. That was my main sport, so I knew I wanted to keep with it. Playing lacrosse in college was always a (goal), and I’m just happy that I have a chance to potentially play.”
Coach Dave Sowers says: “Dillon had to step into a tough role. We had groomed Sean McKee who left us to go to Penn Charter, and Dillon was thrust onto this really good senior team. It was good that he had the Jack Rapines, the Henry Winebrakes and so forth, but he had to grow up real fast. To put him in the district championship game as a sophomore – he did great.
“When you think of goalies – to me, saving the ball is what they’re supposed to do, so the great goalies are the ones that have all those other intangibles. I think Dillon’s strength is his communication. He totally controls our clearing game. We have a system based on what the ride is, and he basically is always in control, takes what the riding team is giving us, and that’s his strength. I’m just so proud of the player he’s developed into, and now he’s a true leader out there for us.”
About Dillon:
Favorite food: Chicken Parmesan
Favorite movie: WALL-E
Favorite food: Rap
Nick Sowers – Washington College (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided possibly Engineering
Final list of colleges: Washington College, Drexel, Lehigh, Jacksonville, Tampa
Reasons for choosing Washington College: “I chose it for the culture they built down there. It’s a great group of guys, especially the ones I’m going to come in with. The coaching staff is awesome. Coach (Jeff) Shirk is awesome, a great guy, and from the beginning, I knew it was a place I could see myself.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in lacrosse at the collegiate level? “I couldn’t imagine a spring without lacrosse, so it was almost a no-brainer.”
Coach Dave Sowers says: “Obviously, it’s tough when you’re the son of the coach because you have it a lot harder. My father taught me that when I worked for him at the golf course. I’m just so proud of the player that Nicky has become. To live with his older brother being Michael Sowers, Nicky has developed into the player that he is.
“We put him on everybody’s best player. He’s one of the best athletes we have. He has shut down everybody from (Dave) Closterman at ANC to the Episcopal kid. We expect his athleticism and his ability to play to shut them down. He’s six-foot and between the two 30s, he’s unbelievable. If the ball’s on the ground, Nicky has got it in his stick, and he is pushing. We have no problem leaving him down on the offensive end because of how well he can handle his stick. There were a few Division I schools that wanted him, but I’m just so proud that he picked the school that was the best fit for him, that he wanted to go to.”
About Nick:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: Now You See Me
Favorite music: Hip-Hop/Rap
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