Saint Leo (FL) Welcomes 19 New Players for 2006-2007

[Sonny]

Saint Leo University Lacrosse Coach Brad Jorgensen has announced the addition of nineteen newcomers to Saint Leo's roster. The list of incoming players shows athletes from twelve different states and includes two transfers. Saint Leo will showcase their entire roster on October 7th, as the Lions host the Sun Coast Classic Lacrosse Tournament.

Ben Erhardt is a 6', 175 pound attackman from Grand Rapids, Michigan who played his high school lacrosse at Forrest Hills Central High School. He followed an Honorable Mention All-State junior year with an All-Conference and All-State senior year while captaining his Forrest Hills Central squad.

Mark Della Speranza is a 5'9", 190 pound attackman from Bethpage, New York. While playing his junior year at Bethpage High School for Coach Erwin Dill, Della Speranza was an Honorable Mention All-County attackman. As a senior, Della Speranza was Bethpage's MVP, and was named All-County.

Paul Fragola is a 5'10", 180 pound attackman from Babylon, New York. Fragola was an All-Nassau/Suffolk Catholic League attackman at Saint John the Baptist, leading his team in goals as a junior.

Joe Guerin is a 5'8", 145 pound attackman from Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. While playing at W.T. Dwyer High School, Guerin garnered All-District and All-League honors while leading his team to a state runner-up season in 2006.

Nick Bova is a 5'11", 180 pound midfielder from Eureka, Missouri. During his career at Christian Brothers College High School, Bova was a two time All-Conference performer, and was named All-State as a senior. Bova also was selected to play in the US Lacrosse National Senior Showcase.

Ryan Groat is a 5'6", 160 pound midfielder from Castle Rock, Colorado. As a player at Douglas County High School, Groat was a two time All-Conference selection as well as a captain his senior year.

Shane Viola is a 5'10", 175 pound midfielder from Arnold, Maryland who played his high school lacrosse at Broadneck Senior High School. Viola transferred to Saint Leo from Division III Wesley College (DE) where he was a midfielder last spring.

Sean McCaffrey is a 5'9", 180 pound midfielder from Geneva, Illinois. McCaffrey was Geneva's MVP, leading goal scorer and team captain while playing under Coach Brad Bates.

Brian Walsh is a 5'10", 200 pound defenseman from Creve Coeur, Missouri. Another Christian Brothers College High School product, Walsh was a two time All-Conference defender under Coach Eddie Condon.

Ryu Arakawa is a 5'9" 175 pound defenseman from Wesley Chapel, Florida. While at Wesley Chapel High School, Arakawa was the WFLL Defenseman of the Year as well as a two time All-Conference honoree.

Chris Verzone is a 6'1", 205 pound defenseman from Lowell, Massachusetts. Playing for Lowell High School, Verzone was twice named a Merrimack Valley Conference All-Star.

Patrick Logiudice is a 5'10" defenseman from Haddam, Connecticut. As a senior at Xavier High School, Logiudice was named his team's defensive MVP.

Derek Marcey is a 6'5", 200 pound defenseman from Boston, Virginia. Marcey played his high school lacrosse at Douglas County High School under Coach Scott Found.

Ralston Balzer is a 6'4", 210 pound defenseman from Westerville, Ohio. Balzer is a transfer from Mercyhurst-North East, and played his high school lacrosse at Westerville South.

Dylan McGowan is a 5'6", 170 pound long stick midfielder from North Babylon, New York. While playing under Coach Will Imhoff at North Babylon High School, McGowan was an All-Conference performer and was the recipient of the 2006 North Babylon Coach's award.

Jeff Conroy is a 6'1", 195 pound goaltender from Buffalo, New York. A four year starter at Bishop Timon-St. Jude under Coach Michael Burke, Conroy was a four time All-League selection and was twice named First Team All-Catholic.

David Erdman is a 6'3", 195 pound goaltender from Mount Sinai, New York. Erdman racked up 790 career saves while between the pipes at Mount Sinai High School. A two time All-League and two time All-County selection, Erdman was named one of Long Island's Top 50 players by Newsday.

D.J. Garry is a 5'7", 175 pound goaltender from Greenwood, Indiana. Playing his high school lacrosse at Brebeuf Jesuit, Garry was twice named team captain, defensive MVP, and was a two time All-State selection.

Andy Routt is a 5'10", 185 pound goaltender from Cincinnati, Ohio. At Sycamore High School under Coach Tom Nugent, Routt received both the Sycamore Coach's Award and team's Most Improved Player.

[Kevin OBrien]

Lots of northerners coming down south. Guess it's not hard to convince 'em....just invite 'em down for a visit in the dead of winter.