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Mercyhurst Signs 9 to National Letters of Intent (Erie, PA) Men’s Lacrosse Coach Chris Ryan announced Monday, November 29, that nine student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent and have committed to continuing their educations and playing careers at Mercyhurst College. The nine commitments represent the largest early signing group in the history of the program. They will have some big shoes to fill as Mercyhurst graduates seventeen seniors from this year's team. The class comes from some non-traditional areas for a program that commonly draws players from Upstate New York. The Lakers received commitments not only from Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo, but also from Chicago, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Coach Ryan credits his assistant coach, Andrew Baxter, for this. “Coach Baxter did a great job of expanding our outlook on recruiting. His efforts really paid off for us attracting talented players from areas we usually do not get kids from.” The class is comprised of two defenseman, five midfielders, one attackman, and one goalie. Here are summaries of the nine: Todd Richardson, 5’10, 175 lbs, Midfield; Memphis, NY; Jordan-Elbridge HS Todd is a four-year letter winner in lacrosse under Coach Rick Young. He was an alternate on the 2005 Central New York Empire Team. Finished his junior year with 18 goals and 9 assists while picking up 72 groundballs. Todd is an athletic midfielder who was a two-way starter on the J-E football team. Coach Ryan on Richardson: “Todd is a skilled midfielder with great athletic ability. We are graduating two All-Americans at the midfield this year and he is going to help us fill those holes. His lacrosse and physical abilities are going to be key to our success next spring.” Aaron Manzer, 5’11, 170 lbs, Attack; Canandaigua, NY; Canandaigua Academy Aaron is a three year starter for the Braves and Coach John Johnson. Scored 45 goals and 15 assists while collecting 57 groundballs while helping Canandaigua to a 19-1 record, the Section V Class A title, the state quarter finals, and a #24 national ranking. Manzer was named the Section V Tournament MVP 2004, Section V All-Tournament Team selection 2004, 2nd Team All-Finger Lakes both 2003 and 2004, and was an alternate for the 2005 Western New York Empire Team. Coach Ryan on Manzer: “We are very fortunate to have Aaron sign with us. He comes from a strong high school program where he has been a key component in its success for the past three years. We believe his talents and skills will bring us success in the future.” Tom Eighmey, 6’0, 225 lbs, Defense; Carthage, NY; Carthage HS Tom is a three-year varsity lacrosse player and two-time captain from a traditional upstate lacrosse power, the Comets of Carthage High, where he played for Kirk Ventiquattro. Last season he marked the other team's top attackman while collecting 99 groundballs and two assists. He was a 1st Team All Central New York selection in 2004 and has twice been named All-League and All-North. Eighmey is a three-sport athlete and serves as the President of the National Honor Society at Carthage High School. Coach Ryan on Eighmey: Tom is a great all around person to add to our program. He combines everything that we look for in a student athlete. He is successful both academically and athletically and brings a great attitude along with him. We feel he will continue the tradition of quality defenseman from Carthage in our program.” Matt Spahr, 6’0, 180 lbs, Defense; Media, PA; Penncrest HS Matt will be a three-year varsity performer for Penncrest High School and Coach Wayne Matsinger. As a junior, he earned 1st team All-Central League honors and was named All-Delco and All-State. To this point in his varsity career, the close defenseman has compiled 8 goals and 5 assists. Played for the Duke’s Lacrosse Club during the summer. Coach Ryan on Spahr: “Matthew can be a difference maker in our program. With our graduating four defensemen this year, we feel he was a key commitment. He is strong, fast and skilled and I am looking forwards to working with him over the next four years." Andrew Russell, 6’3, 210 lbs, Midfield; Libertyville, ILL; Libertyville HS Andrew is Mercyhurst’s first ever early sign out of the Chicago area. The 6’3 midfielder plays for Rich Martin and the state runner up, Libertyville High School, where he scored 25 goals and added 15 assists. Considered one of the top face off men in his league, Russell won 70% of his face offs on the year. He earned 1st Team All-Conference honors and was named honorable mention All-State. Coach Ryan on Russell: “Andrew is just a great kid. He is mature beyond his years and we are excited to have him on the roster. He is an athletic kid who, we feel, has the physical and personal qualities to become a great player for us.” Tom Cross, 5’8, 150 lbs, Midfield; Grasonville, MD; St. Mary’s Tom comes to Mercyhurst out of the traditionally strong St. Mary’s program and is coached by Matt Hogan. Known for his grit and hustle, the staff feels that Cross will be a great character player and will help at the defensive midfield position. A two-sport athlete at St. Mary’s, he also started for the soccer team this fall. Coach Ryan on Cross: “Tom is a quality individual who, we feel, is going to fit into the Mercyhurst community very well. He is a tough and gritty player who does a great deal of work between the boxes. Tom leaves everything on the field every time he plays and I believe he is going to have a positive impact in our locker room as a future leader and on the field.” Mike Bartlett, 5’11, 175 lbs, Midfield; Orchard Park, NY; Orchard Park Mike is coming to Mercyhurst from Orchard Park High School where he helped the Quakers and head coach Gene Tundo to the New York State Semi-Finals last season. He is a three-year varsity performer and finished the 2004 season with 19 goals, 9 assists, and 125 groundballs. For his efforts Bartlett was named 2nd Team All-ECIC. He was named to the All Star team at the Battle of the Hotbeds Tournament this past summer. His brother, Brian, is a senior midfielder for the Lakers this season. Coach Ryan on Bartlett: “Mike comes out one of the top programs in Western New York and has been a contributor on the varsity team for three years. He is a throw back midfielder who is tough on both ends of the field and has all of the necessary attributes to be a quality midfielder at the Division II level.” Jason Lashomb, 5’10, 165 lbs, Goalie; Rochester, NY; Aquinas Institute Lashomb will join the Mercyhurst program after being a three-year member of the varsity program at Aquinas Institute where he plays for Alex Ewing. The Rochester, NY, native played behind high school All-American Jeff Walker last season. We believe that this, along with his athletic ability, makes him a great hidden talent. He was the starting goalie for the Rochester Blaze travel team. Jason plays hockey at Aquinas. Coach Ryan on Lashomb: “Jason is athletic, intelligent, and aggressive on the field and we are fortunate that he decided to sign with us. We feel that he is going to be a mainstay in goal for us for some time. Having him commit to Mercyhurst is a great addition to our program.” Ryan Arnold, 5’10, 170 lbs, Midfield; Westminster, MD; Calvert Hall Ryan comes from a nationally-ranked program at Calvert Hall where he is under the tutelage of Brian Kelly. Ryan is slated to be one of the top midfielders for Calvert Hall this season. This summer, Arnold was named to the All-Star team at the Top-Star Camp and nominated for the Free State try-outs. Coach Ryan on Arnold: “Ryan has the abilities to be a key player in the future here at Mercyhurst. Coming from a program like Calvert Hall, he possesses all of the fundamental abilities to be an impact player for us and help the program move towards its goals.” |
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