Who’s Getting Recruited in Central Mass Lacrosse?

Monday, June 04, 2012

William Dayton, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

Central Massachusetts is becoming a haven for high school lacrosse talent. Twelve area players have committed to play lacrosse in college next fall.

Desko heading to Syracuse

St. John's Jeff Desko is set to play for national power Syracuse.

St. John’s senior attacker Jeff Desko is arguably the top talent in the region. He will be taking his game to Division I Syracuse University, which is one of the most storied programs in college lacrosse history. Desko comes from a long line of Syracuse lacrosse stars, including his father Jeff, and cousin Tim, who currently plays for the Orangemen. His uncle John is currently the head coach at Syracuse and was named National Coach of the Year after winning the national title in 2008. The younger Jeff has put up 39 goals and 23 assists this season for St. John's.

To say getting recruited to play lacrosse for Syracuse is a big deal is an understatement. The program has won 10 national championships in its history.

“Syracuse recruits on current ability or potential or both,” said St. John’s head coach Terrence Leary. “In Jeff’s case, it was both. He’s got a high-velocity right-handed shot, and he’s extremely accurate. He’s also got the size and athletic ability to get away from his defender and get shots off, and his knowledge and vision on the lacrosse field separates him.”

“When you consider the overall package- size and potential, talent-wise, he is a terrific recruit. He could be an impact player at Syracuse in a couple of years,” Leary said.

Algonquin, Oakmont Sending Two

Algonquin's Tim Hanlon is headed to Endicott.

Algonquin long stick midfielder Tim Hanlon is headed to Division III Endicott College in Beverly, Mass.

Hanlon was one of the best all around players this year for Algonquin, who went 17-1, (12-0 in Mid Wach A) and rode into the Central Mass tournament as the odds-on favorite.

"Hanlon is an LSM with pure speed and great hands," Algonquin coach Rich Luongo said. "He is a ground ball vacuum and plays on the wing for face offs."

Conor Healy of Algonquin is also widely considered one of the best players in the area, having finished third in Central Mass in points (96), second in assists (50), and seventh in goals (46). Healy will attent Northfield Mount Hermon for a post grad season, then begin his college recruitment process.

“Conor is a very coachable kid, maybe the most coachable that I’ve ever had in the program,” Luongo said. “He’s also probably the best distributor I’ve had in the program. For a kid to put up that many goals and assists in one season, and to have that kind of balance, I don’t think there are many kids in Central Mass—or even all of Massachusetts that are that balanced.” Hanlon scored 60 goals and notched 56 assists (116 points) in 25 games for Algonquin last season.

Oakmont will send two players to college. Midfielder/attacker Brendan O’Toole is headed to Division II Franklin Pierce with Littleton defenseman Lowell Kish, while attacker Michael Markevich will become one of three Central Mass players to suit up at Mount Ida College in the fall.

O’Toole finished the regular season with 43 goals and 30 assists (73 points) for Oakmont, which went 16-3 (12-2 in Mid Wach B) this season.

“Brendan has got a great mind of the game,” said Oakmont head coach Mick O’Reilly. “I hate to lose both of them because of the way they handle themselves. Neither of them seem to get rattled like some younger kids could.”

“Brendan adds another dimension to our game. He’s got a good outside shot. We started him at midfield at the beginning of the season, and we took him out for about 4 minutes a game. Now we’ve got him at attack and he doesn’t leave the field. We can’t take him out,” O’Reilly said.

Ryan, Vasapolli Choose Assumption

Hudson defenseman Chris Vasapolli will be heading to Division II Assumption College in Worcester.

“Chris is not a huge guy,” said Hudson head coach Doug Gold. “But he’s able to defend successfully because he’s always in the right place. He’s quick on his feet, and has good stick skills.”

Gold said that Vasapolli was “a big reason” why Hudson reached the district playoffs for the first time in school history this season.

“He’s always staying after practice, getting additional coaching. He’s always looking for ways to improve, and that’s why he’s been so successful,” Gold said.

Wachusett attacker Brendan Ryan will join Vasapolli at Assumption next season.

Davis heading to Anna Maria

Nashoba Tech's Tom Bavis will play at Anna Maria College.

_Nashoba Tech attacker Tom Bavis will be heading to Division III Anna Maria College in the fall. Bavis put up 101 goals and 53 assists this season for Nashoba Tech.

“I think Tom made it because he’s very dedicated,” Nashoba head coach John Paolilli said. “He went through a lot of workouts in the offseason, went to camps…he took the time to prepare himself for the season, and it’s paid off because he’s had a great year.”

Paolilli listed Bavis’ stick handling ability as his best attribute, and said that he was strong against double teams.

“Tom finds a way to hold onto the ball through the double, and feed the open man. He’s got a quick stick to the net, and real good mobility,” Paolilli said.

CMass Goalies off to College

Tyngsborough goalie Peter Latulippe will play for Castleton College.

St. Peter Marian midfielder Bayen Sulzman is heading to Division II Regis College, while Tyngsborough goalie Peter Latulippe will man the cage at Castleton College in Vermont.

“Peter is one of the better shotblockers I’ve seen in a few years,” said Castleton head coach Bo McDougall. “I was able to see him play a few times this past summer, and what really stood out was his leadership. He had a good command of the defense, and a really good lacrosse IQ.”

“I think a lot of players that had the kind of success that Peter had would peak in high school, but I think he’s got his best lacrosse ahead of him. His work ethic and knowledge of the game are terrific, and I’ve seen him rise to the occasion for his team in big games.”

St. Mark’s goalie Eric Dolan will head to Division II Queens College in New York.

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