By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/22/16
Hunterdon Central High School (NJ) 2017 faceoff-midfielder Stephen Lopuzzo has made a verbal commitment to play Division II lacrosse at Chestnut Hill College.
Stephen Lopuzzo profile:
Stephen Lopuzzo
High School: Hunterdon Central High School, NJ
Graduation Year: 2017
Position: FO/Middie
College Choice: Chestnut Hill College
Club Affiliation: Red and Black Elite
Lacrosse Honors: Tri-State Champions – July 2016; Champ Camp, Baltimore, MD; MVP Towson, MD; Jersey Strong; The Battle of Morristown Lacrosse.
Academic Honors: 2016 Nominee for Intensive Law & Trial at Stanford Law School; 2015 National Youth Leadership Nomination
What will you major in/study? Criminal Justice
Why did you choose CHC? “Chestnut Hill College is a great combination of athletics and academics. It is just a short train ride away from the heart of Philadelphia, but also has a great downtown near the campus. I am excited for the opportunity to play for Coach “Doc” Dougherty who has a prominent lacrosse history himself and has a passion for winning, but once I met my future teammates, I knew Chestnut Hill was where I would find my home for the next four college years.”
Outlook for 2017 HS season? “Hunterdon Central graduated some key seniors but we still have a really strong team this year with many returning lettermen, that combined with leadership and coaching by Coach Vergalito and Coach Bill, we all expect a successful 2017 season.”
Thank You: “First and foremost, I would like to thank my parents, my dad for his continuous passion to drive me to be the best on the field and my mom for pushing me in the classroom to reach my goals academically.
“Thank you to Coach Vergalito and Coach Bill for being such great high school coaches and constantly challenging me to be the best I can be. You both led our Red and Black Elite team to the Tri-State Championship with 8 wins 0 losses this summer.
“It was an amazing summer at Champ Camp, MVP and I will miss those tournaments next year. A special thanks to Coach Shuba, for he talked me into becoming a face-off specialist many years ago. Hunter Murphy, Owner, Next Level Sports whose weight training and endurance programs I implemented in 8th grade to today has given me the tools I needed to succeed.
“Thanks to my teammates at HC and Red and Black…You guys Rock!! Last but not least, Patti Adorna of Turn 2 Sports Consulting who has been a mentor and as well as life coach, without her I could have not reached all my goals.”
Other schools considered: Stockton University, Widener University, Johnson & Wales, Misericordia University, Arcadia University and Georgia Court
Maplezone Sports Institute (MSI), the official sponsor for PhillyLacrosse.com boys’ recruits, congratulates Stephen Lopuzzo. With indoor facilities located on Route 322 in Garnet Valley, PA and all turf outdoor fields on Chichester Avenue in Aston, PA, MSI is home to all your training needs, both on and off the field. To learn more, visit us at Maplezone.com or contact mattv@maplezone.com