FLG Recruiting Feature: Class of 2022 Boys Defenders and Goalies

This is an interview feature with some of the best defensemen in the 2022 class off Long Island. Each interview includes the players name, position, high school, intended major, what makes these players unique, and highlight videos.

Jamie Lawlor, Harborfields

What is your name, high school, and position?

Jamie Lawlor, Harborfields High School, defense

What is your potential major you are interested in?

Government or Law

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

High lacrosse IQ

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

Practice pays off and the importance of teamwork. 

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

Winning County’s when I was in 9th grade

What are you looking for in a school?

Academics and price

What are three words to describe yourself?

Dedicated, conscientious, reliable 

Here is the link to his highlight tape: https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/jamie_lawlor?video=616750


Owen Connolly, Walt Whitman

What is your name, high school, and position?

Owen Connolly, Junior at Walt Whitman HS, Goalie

What is your potential major you are interested in?

I’m interested in either studying government, business, or economics in college.  I’m not sure yet.

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

I think what makes me unique on the field is that I’m very vocal when we’re on defense.  I try to be a leader on the field and I try to be as vocal as possible calling out the opposing offense to help my teammates.  

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

I think the greatest lesson I’ve learned about lacrosse is that it’s always about the next shot I’m going to face.  Goalies need to have a short memory at times and not worry about the last shot that might’ve been a goal.  I try to stay focused on the next shot. 

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

My favorite lacrosse memory so far is being able to play with my teammates (especially my younger brother) at Whitman.  I’m also very proud of the two gold medals I won as a member of the Suffolk County 2022 regional team.  I look forward to the opportunity to do that again this summer. 

What are you looking for in a school?

I’m hoping to play lacrosse in college where I can pursue my possible majors. I don’t have a preference on the location or the size of a college just as long as there are a lot of opportunities to pursue my interests.  

What are three words to describe yourself?

Determined, Prepared, Friendly


Will Peters, Garden City

What is your name, high school, and position?

Will Peters, Garden City HS, Defense

What is your potential major you are interested in?

Business, Finance

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

Stick Skills that I developed over numerous years of practicing and My Lax IQ from watching and studying college and pro games

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

I learned teamwork, The ability to work with others to achieve a common goal

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

Forming a relationship with teammates that will last forever

What are you looking for in a school?

Academically challenging school with a competitive lacrosse team in which I can develop as a student, athlete, and man.

What are three words to describe yourself?

Hard-working, Determined, Coachable


Patrick Leder, Manhasset

What is your name, high school, and position?

My name is Patrick Leder and I play defense for Manhasset High School.

What is your potential major you are interested in?

Economics/Finance

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

I am a great communicator and a very disciplined and smart one-on-one player. I’m also good with the ball in my stick in the clearing game and have a high lacrosse IQ.

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

The greatest lesson I’ve learned through lacrosse is the value of commitment to a team. The way that a dedicated group of teammates can come together and perform their own individual roles to the best of their ability in order to achieve a common goal is an important lesson that can be applied to lacrosse as well as life outside of sports.

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

My favorite lacrosse memory was beginning my first Manhasset varsity season last year, something I looked forward to throughout all my years of playing lacrosse as a kid. After our season was ended prematurely because of COVID, my favorite memory will be taking the field for our first game this season.

What are you looking for in a school?

I am looking for a school with a competitive lacrosse program that places the same high value on education and character as I do.

What are three words to describe yourself?

Hard-working, unselfish, competitive.


Jordan Smikle, Farmingdale 

What is your name, high school, and position?

Jordan Smikle, LSM at Farmingdale High School

What is your potential major you are interested in?

Either physics or biology 

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

I believe that my athleticism is what makes my game unique I may not be the best lacrosse player but athleticism makes up for it

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

No matter how bad you may be at a certain activity constantly working at it will show ur potential

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

Playing on varsity my freshman year has probably been my most unexpected and best memory

What are you looking for in a school?

A good athletic program that is involved in the academic side of things as well

What are three words to describe yourself?

Determined Compassionate respectful 

Jordan Smikle highlight tape here.


Anthony Bilello, Farmingdale (Commitment: Binghamton)

What is your name, high school, and position?

My name is Anthony Bilello and I play defense for Farmingdale High School, and I am committed to Binghamton University. 

What is your potential major you are interested in?

I am interested in doing business as my major in college. 

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

I think my physicality and toughness are my uniqueness. I like to use my body and throw hard checks all the time. 

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

The greatest lesson I have learned is to never get too down on yourself and never get too high on yourself. Always stay at a middle level. 

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

My favorite lacrosse memory was in 4th grade when my Dalers summer team won a tournament in overtime to complete our 3 peat at that tournament. I will never forget that experience as a kid.

What are you looking for in a school?

In a school, I am looking for a place that makes me feel as comfortable as possible. I also wanted a great academic school as well as a great lacrosse program. Also, I wanted my school to set me up the best it could for the future after college. 

What are three words to describe yourself?

Three words to describe me are tough, hard working and physical.


Brendan Staub, Garden City

What is your name, high school, and position?

Brendan Staub, Garden City High School, Defense

What is your potential major you are interested in?

Business/Finance

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

I believe that my intensity, effort, and intelligent play make me unique. 

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

The greatest lessons I have learned include the power of collective effort and the value of working hard to improve yourself and the people around you. 

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

It’s hard to place one favorite memory, I think just being a part of the teams I have been a part of is something I will always look back on appreciatively. 

What are you looking for in a school?

 I am actually already committed to Cornell, which is where I found the support, excellence, and emphasis on hard work I was looking for. 

What are three words to describe yourself?

Diligent, passionate, multi-faceted

Christopher Allen, Garden City

What is your name, high school, and position?

Christopher Allen, Garden City High School, Goalie

What is your potential major you are interested in?

Economics

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

Quick hands and very aggressive when stepping to the ball

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

Don’t get down on yourself after a bad play

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

Playing my first PAL game when I was younger 

What are you looking for in a school?

Strong academics with a competitive lacrosse team

What are three words to describe yourself?

Hard-working, resilient, and aggressive

Gaige Ciccotto, Syosset

What is your name, high school, and position?

My name is Gaige Ciccotto, I go to Syosset High School and play defense. 

What is your potential major you are interested in?

I’m thinking about majoring in either architecture or engineering. 

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

I feel that my game is very unique in the fact that I also play football so I’m very physical and quick at changing directions. 

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

The greatest lesson I’ve learned in lacrosse is that someone’s desire to win can’t just happen on game day. It’s gotta happen every day. Practice, team workouts, and school.

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

My favorite lacrosse memory has to be one of the tournaments with the Syosset Spartans. We played a long and hard-fought game that ended with a game-winner in a 3v3 brave heart. I just remember the entire team rushing the field so happy we won. That memory will stick with me for the rest of my life. 

What are you looking for in a school?

I want to go to a school that has a good group of teammates that I can truly see myself hanging out with every day. As well as a coach that really shows how much they care for the team. 

What are three words to describe yourself?

 I would say I’m hardworking, coachable, and an all-around team player.

Here is his highlight tape: https://sportsrecruits.com/athlete/gaige_ciccotto?video=680215

Ryan Thomas, Farmingdale

What is your name, high school, and position?

My name is Ryan Thomas. I play defense at Farmingdale High School.

What is your potential major you are interested in?

I am looking to major in Education.

What makes your game unique compared to other players?

I am a “team-first player.” I do what’s best for my team, not myself.

What has been your greatest lesson you learned in lacrosse?

Do your job! If everyone does their job the team will succeed. 

What is your favorite lacrosse memory?

Scoring my first goal as a defenseman.

What are you looking for in a school?

I’m looking for a place that has a great education, sports, and a place to call home for the next 4 years. 

What are three words to describe yourself?

Dedicated, disciplined, and determined 

Link to his highlight tape: ?

 

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