BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Smith Family Head Lacrosse Coach Kevin Cassese welcomed a talented group of newcomers to the Mountain Hawks program this semester as 14 student-athletes set foot on the Lehigh campus to begin their college careers. Cassese has attracted talent that spans six states, including California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania and includes four All-Americans.

"There is a lot of excitement surrounding this group of freshmen," Cassese commented. "It is a large group, it is a diverse group and it is a talented group. I have been impressed by the strength of character and overall leadership abilities that the members of this class have demonstrated over the course of their high school careers and during their short time on campus here at Lehigh. I look forward to working closely with them individually and collectively during their careers as Mountain Hawks."

Derek Bogorowski is a midfielder from Newton, Pennsylvania, where he played for LaSalle College High School. There, he served as a captain his senior year, and was named All-Catholic and All-State. His high school team won two Pennsylvania State championships as well as three Philadelphia Catholic League championsips. His club team, Duke's Lacrosse Club also won two Champ Camp National championships. Off the field, Bogorowski is a member of the National Honor Society and First and Second Honor Roll. He Received a Scholastic "L" award, and is also a National Honor Society peer tutor.

A goalkeeper from Warminster, Pennsylvania, Dan Carr was named the number-two player to watch by the phillylacrosse.com in 2009. As a senior, Carr had a 70.9 save percentage and totaled 461 saves. He was named Honorable Mention All-Inter-AC, served as team captain, and received the Coaches Award. As a junior, he helped lead Penn Charter to the EPSLA State semifinals before eventually losing to Malvern. He also participated in Jake Reed's Nike Blue-Chip camp. Carr is a multi-sport athlete having also played water polo, football, and wrestling. When he is not being active on the field, Carr is also an honor roll student, having been a National Merit Scholarship finalist.

David DiMaria comes to Lehigh from Half Hollow Hills West High School in Dix Hills, New York. An All American, two-time All-County, and two-time All-Division selection, DiMaria earned the title of team MVP as a senior. In 2007, he was named Suffolk County League Rookie of the Year. DiMaria is a multi-sport athlete with accomplishments in football and basketball, in addition to his impressive lacrosse abilities. In football, he played the quarterback position, earning Second-Team All-Long Island, All-County, and All-Division honors. In basketball, he was the League 5 Defensive Player of the Year, helping lead his team to a county championship in 2008.

Also joining the team, from Upper Arlington, Ohio is Alex Drake. An attacker, Drake was an All-American, in addition to earning the titles of Ohio Player of the Year and Ohio Attackman of the Year. As a senior captain, he earned First-Team All-Midwest, First-Team All-State, and First-Team All-Region. Drake was also given the Outstanding Attackman Award, Award for Most Team Goals, and Award for Most Team Assists from his high school. A two-sport athlete at UA, Alex also captained the football team, earned first team All-Conference honors and rushed for over 1,000 yards on the gridiron. In addition to his accomplishments on the field, Drake also received a Scholar Athlete Award, and graduated Cum Laude.

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2009-08-25