Welcome to the latest installment of the LaxPhilly Local Five. With the NCAA season underway, there is plenty of lacrosse to go see in the area. And with that there are lots of excellent players that you can see on any given day. And don't think we're neglecting the ladies, future installments of the Local Five will feature some of the top games and players in Women's college lax. For this one, we'll be looking at five players at local colleges who are making their presences felt early on this season.
1. Curtis Dickson - Attack ( Delaware, Sophomore, Port Coquitlam, B.C.)
Dickson is following in the paths of other Canadians to star for the Blue Hens (John Grant, Jr., Luke Wiles, Jordan Hall) with his play so far. After a solid frosh season with 21 goals and 28 points in 2007, Dickson has already put up 13 goals and 20 points in Delaware's first four games. Dickson is a huge reason why the Hens are 4-0 and currently ranked ninth in the most recent USILA Division I poll.
2. Bruce Bickford - Goalie (Drexel, Senior, Providence, RI)
Bickford has been one of the NCAA's top goaltenders the last two seasons and a key to Drexel's recent success. Last year's team MVP, Bickford was in the top 10 in 2007 in goals against (7.33) and currently has a 6.87 GAA in leading the Dragons to a 3-1 start and a #14 ranking. Bickford was the Colonial Athletic Association's pre-season All-Conference goalkeeper and could be a top draft pick in Major League Lacrosse's 2008 Collegiate Draft on May 28th.
3. Brian Fleishhacker - Attack (Haverford, Sophomore, Manhasset, NY)
Fleishhacker was named the Centennial Conference's Player of the Week after scoring 12 goals and three assists in Haverford's first two games, in which the Fords went 2-0. Fleishhacker finished second in team scoring last year with 27 points in only 10 games. Haverford is currently 18th in the USILA Division III poll.
4. Al Kohart - Midfield (Penn, Freshman, Port Jefferson Station, NY)
Kohart earned Ivy League Rookie of the Week for his play in the Quakers opening two games. Kohart scored twice in Penn's opener against Drexel and added a hat trick against Villanova in their next game. Kohart's five goals lead the Quakers as they head to Denver for the Pioneer Faceoff Classic with Denver, Air Force and Brown.
5. Rich Romanelli - Attack (Cabrini, Sophomore, Rosedale, MD)
Romanelli scored three goals to lead the Cavaliers to a 10-8 upset of Roanoke College on March 2nd in their season opener. This win sent Cabrini into the LaxNews top 10 and the 12th spot in the current USILA poll. Last season, Romanelli had 28 goals and 42 points, helping Cabrini reach the NCAA playoffs. Romanelli and fellow sophomore Casey Grugan will be a tough duo for opposing defenses to stop.
Our next feature will focus on the five top Women's games in the area in 2008.
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