Stories courtesy of www.PhillyLacrosse.com.
By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com
Springfield-Montco senior midfielder Lauren Chandler has signed a letter of intent to play next year at Hofstra University.
Chandler, a second-team All-Suburban One American Conference pick last season, said she chose Hofstra because it will help her reach her full potential.
“I wanted to go to a school that challenges me in both academically and athletically,” she said, noting she plans to study sports medicine and pursue physical therapy. “I went there my junior year and fell in love with it. I loved the campus and the location and when I met the coaches and the team, I saw they were so amazing and approachable.
“The coaches provide great leadership for the team and it seemed like they had a great rapport with the players. That was definitely a key thing for me.”
Chandler, who received Suburban One scholar-athlete honors last year when she scored 46 goals, said she’s already become close to the 2009 Hofstra recruits. Two of them are from Philadelphia: Merion Mercy’s Emily Corzel and Downingtown West’s Casey Kellogg.
“All nine of the recruits have become friends,” Chandler said. “We are always texting each other.”
For now, she is focused on helping the Spartans challenge in the American Conference race.
“I am really confident about this year,” Chandler said. “Although we’re a small team, we have a lot of talented players. I can’t wait to see what the season has in store for us."
Chandler, who also competed in water polo and swimming at Springfield, said the lacrosse team has a number of all-around athletes.
“We have a lot of players that are strong in other sports," she said. "Again, we are small, but everyone contributes so much. We all love the game of lacrosse.”
By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com
Cheltenham senior midfielder Charlotte Swavola has signed a letter of intent to play next year at Temple University.
Swavola, a first-team All-Suburban One American Conference pick last season, said she chose Temple based on the campus, the school's pre-med program and Owls coach Bonnie Rosen.
“Coach Rosen is an amazing coach,” Swavola said of the recent Eastern Pennsylvania Lacrosse Hall of Fame inductee. “Everyone was expecting me to go to California instead of Philadelphia.
“But coach Rosen took me around the campus and my parents and I fell in love with it. They have a great honors program and a supportive environment; that’s exactly what I need.”
Swavola – who was named as a National Merit finalist - was recently accepted into Temple’s pre-health scholar’s program, which links to the honors program. She hopes to go to eventually go to medical school and become a general surgeon.
Svavola is one of four Philly seniors to sign with Temple. The list also includes Interboro’s Steph Parcell, Chichester Kellee Pace and Perkiomen Valley’s Antonia Falcone.
For now, Swavola is anxious to help Cheltenham contend for an American Conference title.
“We usually have little indicators at beginning of the year and lately we’ve been doing great,” she said. “I believe incredibly in the team. This is one of the closest teams at the school."
Swavola credited Cheltenham coach Dave Burton as a strong role model.
“Mr. Burton is a great coach," she said. "He and Bonnie Rosen are complete coaches. They coach you in lacrosse and they coach you in being a good person.”
By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com
Abington senior attacker Kristen Dunphey has signed a letter of intent to play next year at The George Washington University.
Dunphey, a first-team All-Suburban One National Conference pick last season, is happy to go to school in Washington D.C.
“I chose the school mostly because it’s in a great city,” said Dunphey, who is undecided on a major. “There’s a lot going on with the new election. It offers everything and I can do anything there.”
Dunphey, who earned Academic All-American last year when she scored 41 goals, also liked the makeup of GW coach Tara Hannaford’s program.
“I think I will fit in well,” said Dunphey, who played for the Philly team at the Under Armour Underclassmen games. “Coach is a great woman and they work really well together.”
Dunphey is equally excited about the coming season. The Ghosts shared the Suburban One National Conference crown with North Penn last year and advanced to the Disteict 1 quarterfinals.
Abington graduated three key seniors, but returns nine starters and figures to be a key player in the conference and District 1 races.
“We have nine starting varsity players back, so I think we’ll have a strong team,” Dunphey said. “We hope to go far, even though our schedule is tougher.”
Dunphey said the Ghosts are anxious to take a shot at making the first Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association tournament.
“Our whole team is excited about that,” she said. “We’re looking forward to going as far as we can.”
By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com
Council Rock North senior defender Casey Doyle has signed a letter of intent to play next year at the University of New Hampshire.
Doyle, a first-team All-Suburban One National Conference pick last season, said she liked the atmosphere of the Durham campus and plans to take advantage of the cold weather.
“I couldn’t be happier,” said Doyle, who has not chosen a major. “I think it’s a perfect fit for me. After I met the coach (Sandy Bridgeman) and the team, I knew it was where I wanted to go.
“My family has grown up skiing, so that’s a plus. The campus is gorgeous; it’s in a small town. You can hop on a train and be in Boston in only 50 minutes.”
Doyle is equally excited about the start of the season and the fact that Pat Toner – who started the lacrosse program before Council Rock split in the 1990s – is coming back to serve as co-coach with Carolyn Kacergis.
“I am so excited about the season,” said Doyle, who grew up playing for her mother, Marie Doyle, and Dave Hurwitz in the Council Rock Youth Lacrosse program. “We’re a young team that graduated our top two high scorers, and we have a lot of underclassmen.
“But I truly believe they will take a huge step up. I think these coaches will do awesome things with the program.”
Doyle, who has always played close defense, may be moved to midfield.
“I have always been a defensive player, but I may try a new position,” she said. “I’ll play wherever they want to put me.”
Note: SuburbanOneSports.com and PhillyLacrosse.com have entered into an agreement to share content. Visit www.PhillyLacrosse.com for all your lacrosse news from the around the area and around the country.
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