Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 12/15/16
From Press Release
The Merrimack College men’s lacrosse team and head coach Mike Morgan have announced the program’s 12-member early signing recruiting class. All 12 have signed National Letters (NLI) of Intent during the early signing period (Nov. 9-16) and are set to join the program next fall.
James Blaszkow
The well-rounded group feature several all-state selections that have helped their respective high school and club teams reach unparalleled levels of success; each has garnered deserved individual recognition over the course of their high school careers, as well.
A group-high four future Warriors call the state of Connecticut home, while three more hail from New Hampshire; finally, the group also featured one future Merrimack student-athlete from the states Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia. In terms of positions on the field, midfield was the majority rank for five of the incoming student-athletes, while there are four attackmen, two defenders, one faceoff specialist and one goalkeeper among the group.
“We are very excited to announce the Merrimack College Men’s Lacrosse Class of 2021,” Morgan stated. “These individuals come from highly competitive programs, and I have no doubt that they will quickly integrate into our highly competitive culture. They are all high-level students with tremendous lacrosse ability and are all high-character people, most importantly.”
JAMES BLASZKOW
Position: Defense
High School: Salesianum School (Del.)
Club Team: Team 302
Caused 21 turnovers and finished with 61 ground balls while earing Defensive MVP honors as a junior … Also contributed nine points (6g, 3a) from an offensive standpoint … Was a third team all-state selection as a junior, as well.
Morgan on Blaskow: “James has a tremendous stick and is very good in transition as well as off the ground. He is also an above-average cover guy with some great takeaway skills. His game between the lines is as good as any and is always a threat in the open field.”
SEAN BLACK
Position: Attack
High School: Cheshire (Conn.)
Club Team: Connecticut Cardinals
Three-year varsity starter … Had an incredible start to his high school career by earning Team MVP honors as a freshman with an 89-point rookie campaign (48g, 41a) … After missing most of his sophomore season due to injury, rebounded with a remarkable junior season that saw him claim his second Team MVP honor … Racked up nearly 100 points on offense thanks to a 33-goal, 64-assist campaign … Earned First Team All-SCC (Southern Connecticut Conference) honors while being named the Record Journal and New Haven Register All-Area Lacrosse Player of the Year.
Morgan on Black: “Sean is a very quick and skilled attackman. He can create his own shot and is very good at creating for others. His skill set along with his IQ make him a very difficult player to try and contain.”
PETER BROWN
Position: Goalkeeper
High School: Cheshire (Conn.)
Club Team: Team 302
Also Recruited By: Quinnipiac, Colby, Ithaca
Owns a 62-percent career save percentage and is a two-time Cheshire High School MVP … Three-year starter … Posted a 3.88 goals-against average in 2016 while leading Cheshire to a 12-6 record.
Morgan on Brown: “Peter is a high-level ball stopper with great skills in tight and on outside shots. He has a great presence in net and is very explosive to the ball. His stick is always a big strength in getting the ball out to start transition. He has been a huge part of the success at Cheshire.”
DAVIS CRONIN
Position: Faceoff/Midfield
High School: Hebron Academy (Maine)
Club Team: Laxachusetts
Three-year varsity starter … As a junior, posted an 80-percent faceoff clip while scoring 21 goals with four assists at Hebron Academy … Helped team win 2015 Lakes Region Championship with New Hampton and the 2016 MAISAD title with Hebron Academy … A two-time All-New England Honorable Mention selection … Placed second among 2017 prospective student-athletes at the 2015 Faceoff Academy National Showcase.
Morgan on Cronin: “Davis was one of the top faceoff midfielders we saw last summer. He has shown in performances at the Faceoff Academy National Showcase that he belongs in the category of some of the best out there. He has a solid stick and is able to push transition as well.”
CARLIN JOYAL
Position: Defense
High School: Longmeadow (Mass.)
Club Team: Warrior Elite
Will serve as team captain at Longmeadow High School for his senior season in 2017 … Was the LHS Lacrosse Rookie of the Year … Named to both the 2016 All-Western Massachusetts Boys Lacrosse Team and All-American Game MIAA Watch List … Helped Longmeadow win Central/West Massachusetts area championships in 2015 and 2016 … Is a three-sport letterwinner, also serving as captain of the track team this winter … Helped the 4×400-meter relay team medal at the 2016 state championship meet and win back-to-back league titles in 2014-15 and 2015-16 … Was also a member of the boys’ soccer team that won the Western Massachusetts sectional championship in 2015, which was the first state title in school history.
Morgan on Joyal: “Carlin is a pure athlete with a very technically sound defensive game. He is a good cover guy, good off the ground and very fast in transition. He is a proven winner in three sports and has helped Longmeadow win high school championships in multiple seasons.”
NICK SHANLEY
Position: Midfield
High School: Notre Dame (H.S.) (Conn.)
Club Team: Connecticut Cardinals Black
As a sophomore, scored 15 goals and 18 assists … Increased those totals to 18 goals and 21 assists during his junior campaign … Will serve as team captain for his senior season starting this spring.
Morgan on Shanley: “Nick brings great athleticism between the lines and has developed a solid all-around offensive game. He has many dimensions to his game with ability to use his speed and stick skills.”
LEE SIPES
Position: Midfield
High School: Derryfield (N.H.)
Club Team: New England Pride
Two-time first team all-state selection at Derryfield High School … Also earned all-state honorable mention accolades as a freshman … In his junior campaign, was a force both offensively and on the X, compiling 67 points (45, 22a) while winning 137-of-181 faceoffs (.767) … Helped Derryfield win the 2016 Division 2 state title in 2016 after back-to-back runner-up finishes in his previous two seasons … Also a 3D in FLG All-Star, Under Armour Shootout All-Star and Hotbeds All-Star in 2016.
Morgan on Sipes: “Lee is your old-school player who has a very good offensive game, is great between the lines, can play defense and is a very skilled faceoff man. He is the type of player who will help you in a few areas and has a great motor.”
DAN SKEA
Position: Midfield
High School: Ridge (N.J.)
Earned First Team All-State Junior Team honors and Second Team All-State Group 4 and Third Team All-Area honors after a strong junior season … Posted 33 points during that campaign (20g, 13a) … Also added 45 ground balls.
Morgan on Skea: “Dan is a tremendous athlete and has shown that at a high level in three sports. He has a solid stick and is a great downhill dodger. His shot on the run is very heavy and he has developed an all-around passing game as well. He has the ability to beat you with his size, speed or stick.”
JACK-HENRY SMITH
Position: Midfield/Attack
High School: Norfolk Academy (Va.)
Club: Amped Lacrosse
Helped lead Norfolk Academy to a 16-8 record in 2016 … Finished with 57 points thanks to a team-high 39 goals and 18 assists as well as 27 ground balls that season … Earned second team all-state recognition.
Morgan on Smith: “Jack-Henry is very athletic with a great combination of midfield and attack skill sets. His stick and his athleticism are definitely his strengths. He is a very tough and physical player as well, and he is not afraid to throw his body around between the lines.”
SEAN SNYDER
Position: Attack
High School: Londonderry (N.H.)
Club Team: HGR Lacrosse/Primetime Penguins
Three-year varsity starter entering his senior year … During his sophomore season, recorded 38 points on 25 goals and 13 assists … Increased that offensive output to 52 points with a team-high 40 goals and 12 helpers as a junior … Earned 2016 Eagle-Tribune All-State Honorable Mention honors after his junior season.
Morgan on Snyder: “Sean has a very high IQ to go with his unique skill set. He is very good off-ball, a smart passer and just an all-around scorer. He has developed his game nicely over the past few years into a complete player.”
CHRISTIAN THOMAS
Position: Attack
High School: New Hampton School (N.H.)
Club Team: Warrior Elite
Three-year varsity starter entering his senior year … Began his high school career with a 17-goal, 29-point season during his freshman campaign … More than doubled that output as part of a 68-point sophomore season that featured 33 goals and 35 assists … Enjoyed his best year yet as a junior, posting career-highs in goals (43) and scoring (73) … Has earned NNELL All-League and Lake Regions All-Star honors while helping team claim back-to-back Lake Regions Conference titles.
Morgan on Thomas: “Christian has produced at a high level for the past few years at New Hampton. He is a very good off-ball player with a very good stick. He has a nose for the net and has helped New Hampton to two straight conference championships.”
BRIAN WEYRAUCH
Position: Midfield
High School: Cheshire (Conn.)
Club: Connecticut Cardinals
Serving as team captain for upcoming season … Three-year starter at Cheshire High School … Earned All-SCC honors after junior season that saw him finish with 24 goals and 14 assists while helping Cheshire reach CIAC playoffs … Also an all-conference and All-Record Journal selection in football … Was a three-year starter on the football team while serving as team captain this past fall.
Morgan on Weyrauch: “Brian is a hard-dodging athlete at the midfield with a rip of a shot. He has had high-level success in both football and lacrosse due to his size and speed. He is an old-school player between the lines with the finesse offensively to beat you off the dodge and create for himself or others.”