Providence College Athletics

Providence College Men's Lacrosse Announces Early Commitments

12/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Lacrosse

Dec. 7, 2005

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Providence College Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Chris Burdick announced thirteen student-athletes have each signed National Letters of Intent to attend Providence and play lacrosse for the Friars beginning in the Fall of 2006.

At attack, Charlie Barber, Luke Basso, Tyler Connelly, Garret Kanter, Chris Lubin, and Colin Tigh have all returned their commitments to the college. The Friars add Mike Bartomioli, Jackson Fallon, and Ryan Vermette to the midfield and Dean Fraser, Brian Ikeda, and Ryan Riedl to the defensive units. The Friars also signed Brian Nerney in the goal.

"We are excited about the talent in this class but we are even more impressed with the character of this group," Friar Head Coach Chris Burdick said. "This is a group of extremely motivated, and well rounded young men, who embody what Providence College is all about. We made sure the message was sent clearly during their recruiting visits on campus; our goal is to be the most respected student-athletes in college lacrosse as well as to carry the program's mission which is to have a positive effect on the institution and win MAAC Championships!"

"In terms of the lacrosse talent, we are very pleased with the distribution of players in the recruiting class because we were able to front load it with some offensive depth. Recruiting Coordinator and Assistant Coach Keith Loftis targeted the attack and defensive areas this year, which is where we feel we needed to add depth. We spent the last three seasons using midfield converts at attack and hope this class will help free us up to play guys at their natural positions. We also hope to be able to move one or two of these guys from attack to midfield to have some experience dodging long sticks in that unit."

At attack, the Friars are welcoming Charlie Barber (Westminster School, Conn.), Luke Basso (Arlington HS, N.Y.), and Garrett Kanter (Tabor Academy). "All three of these guys bring a slashing type of dodging presence to the attack unit," Burdick notes. "We look for them to help us increase our ability to penetrate from behind the goal." Kanter was a three time Eastern Mass All-Star totaling 93 points through the completion of his junior year.

Also at attack, the Friars welcome Colin Tigh (Chaminade, N.Y.), Chris Lubin (Syosset, N.Y.), and Tyler Connelly (Niskayuna, N.Y.). "We look at these guys as play makers who are going to be able to set up their teammates and finish in transition," Burdick adds. "Tigh and Connelly have very good change of direction and Lubin brings a solid left handed presence to the unit that we have not had at Providence." Tigh was named 2005 Nassau County All-League with 50 points.

At the midfield, the Friars add Mike Bartomioli (Pleasantville, N.Y.), Jackson Fallon (Arlington, Mass.) and Ryan Vermette (Mt. Ararat, Maine). According to Assistant Coach Keith Loftis "We are very happy with the midfield class. We wanted a smaller group but with diversity and we got that." Bartomioli is a Hudson Valley Empire State Team member who brings a committed attitude to the Friar lineup. Fallon, a former Friar Elite Camper and Fighting Clam, is a shifty playmaker at the midfield and Vermette is a 6'3 three sport athlete who brings obvious size to the midfield. As a four year varsity starter, Vermette had 26 goals and 28 assists while being named to the 2005 First Team Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference and the 2005 Maine Sunday Telegram All-State Team.

Defensively, the Friars were impressed with Ryan Riedl (Winchester, MA) and Dean Fraser (Masconomet, Mass./Masconomet HS) at the Friar Elite Camp. "Dean is a very strong and determined defender who will put pressure on his attacker and will throw a number of hard checks in a small period of time," Burdick commented. Ryan Riedl brings a 6'3" frame to the defense, along with good fundamentals and stick skills. "Ryan is a big and strong athlete who was very impressive at the venues we saw him at this summer," Burdick said. "He really likes to put pressure on the ball and fits the body type of the bigger defender that we like at Providence." Brian Ikeda (Conestoga, Pa.) rounds out the defensive class. Brian is a three year letter winner who also led his high school in football, being named Delaware County Daily Times Central League Quarterback MVP. "Brian was very impressive at the Top 205 Camp at the University of Maryland and brings diverse experience and leadership with his football and lacrosse background."

In goal, the Friars secured a commitment from Brian Nerney (Massapequa, N.Y.). "Brian played behind an outstanding goalie as a junior and will be a guy who everyone on the Island knows by the end of this year," Burdick stated. "As with a lot of the great programs on Long Island, Massapequa usually has a very strong senior group and you need to work to find the talented juniors. We feel we got great looks at Brian at the Empire State Games tryouts and feel he will be great addition to our goaltending unit."

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