Oct. 6, 2011

Philadelphia - Saint Joseph's first-year men's lacrosse coach Taylor Wray has announced the commitment of 14 student-athletes who are joining the team for the 2011-12 season. The incoming class features athletes from four different states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, and New York.

Of the incoming players, one was named an Under Armor All-American and three were members of the National Champion Dukes Club lacrosse team. The class features a group of three midfielders, five defensemen, five attackmen, and one goalie.

"I am excited to welcome the 14 newcomers and their families to the Saint Joseph's lacrosse family," said Wray. "I'm also thrilled to be able to announce our fall roster. The roster was chosen after a very rigorous and extensive try-out process and our staff is looking forward to helping this group reach its full potential."

The midfielders joining the program are Josh Cavanaugh (Springfield, Pa.), Jake Hall (Summit, N.J.), and Robert Watts (Newtown, Pa.). Cavanaugh, graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy Prep, was a three-time All-State selection. He was also selected to the Under Armor All-American and U.S. Lacrosse All-American teams. Hall, a Summit High School graduate, captained his team to two Group 4 state championships. Watts, from St. Joseph's Prep, led the team in assists while earning a spot on the All-Catholic Second Team.

The defensemen joining the team are Kevin Barrow (Landenberg, Pa.), Will Farrell (Jamison, Pa.), Dylan O'Donnell (Media, Pa.), Richard O'Neill (West Chester, Pa.), and Guy Talarico (Oradell, N.J.). Barrow, an Avon Grove graduate, earned All-Ches-Mont First Team honors as a senior and junior while winning a National Championship with the Dukes LC. Farrell, from St. Joseph's Prep, was selected First Team All-Catholic twice and All-ESPLA as a senior. O'Donnell, a Penncrest graduate, was selected First Team All-Central and was chosen to play in the adidas National All-American Lacrosse Classic. O'Neill, hails from Unionville High School where he was a four-time All-Ches-Mont League selection. Talarico comes to Saint Joseph's from Bergen Catholic where he captained the team.

The Hawks' new attackmen are Kyle Bruun (Chevy Chase, Md.), Michael Dougherty (Malvern, Pa.), Matthew Franchak (Millersville, Md.), Michael Furstenberg (Whitehouse Station, N.J.), and Matthew Sarcona (Northport, N.Y.). Bruun, from Gonzaga College High School, totaled 45 goals in his career and earned a spot on the All-WCAC First Team and Washington Post Honorable Mention. Dougherty, from Malvern Prep, was a two-time All Inter-AC honoree and member of the Dukes LC. Franchak, an Archbishop Spalding graduate, was selected as a Rising Senior Top 205 All-Star and earned a spot on the 2011 Capital Gazette County Senior All-Star team. Furstenberg, a graduate of Hunterdon Central Regional earned Second Team All-State while captaining the team senior year. He registered 27 goals and added 18 assists his senior year. Sarcona, from Northport High School, posted 105 goals in his career and added 45 assists.

Saint Joseph's will have one new goalie joining the squad this season. Dustin Keen, a graduate of Downingtown West, was a High School All-American selection and named to the All-State Team, while playing for the Dukes LC, the nation's top-ranked club team.