If you take a look at nine Hudson Valley All-America recipients, you will notice just one has not yet committed to a college.
That would be Lakeland/Panas junior midfielder Conor Prunty.
With the season ending later this week and our focus here about to shift to the recruiting scene, here’s a report by Zach Smart on how Prunty’s recruiting situation is shaping up:
Conor Prunty’s success on the turf has opened many eyes, including those of various NCAA coaches.
Prunty, one the top offensive threats for Lakeland/Panas has emerged into a highly sought after product on the recruiting market.
A slew of Division I schools, including Siena, Marist, Fairfield and Delaware, have been in active pursuit of the All-America middie. The University at Albany has also shown interest.
With his Rebels squad making their run in the state tournament, New York State Regents exams to prepare for, and now the process of being recruited and visiting schools, there are some major challenges cooking on Prunty’s front burner right now.
“It gets crazy at times, but it’s all worth it,” said Prunty, a junior who had three goals and an assist during the Rebels’ sudden-death, 10-9 OT victory over Albany-based Shenendehowa on Saturday.
“It’s a pretty important decision. You’ve got to put a lot of time going into it. It’s just a huge decision that I have to make. It’s going to be worth it. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. So, it’s been nice so far.”
Prunty plans on trying out for the Empire State games this summer. At the Games, Prunty will have the chance to ply his trade in front of a buffet-line of Division-I coaches and scouts.
Siena, which has been recruiting Prunty since the fall, even catching one of his football games (Prunty quarterbacks the Lakeland Hornets as one of the areas potent passers).
Prunty hasnt narrowed down the list of potential Division I suitors. Prunty is, however, beginning to schedule visits.
Im going down Friday to Fairfield then Ill be down in Delaware in a couple weeks, he said.
Prunty has developed a rapport with Siena head coach Brian Brecht, who has won multiple MAAC coach of the year awards .
Top-seeded Siena earned a berth in the MAAC championship this season, albeit the Saints wound up losing in a 8-7 heartbreaker to Mount St. Marys.
He (Brecht) came down to watch our game against Fox Lane, Prunty noted. Hes a good guy, I like him a lot. He dedicated a lot of time to that program, I have a lot of respect for him for that.
Players around Section 1 have a lot of respect for Prunty.
The established scorer popped two timely goals and dished out an assist in the Rebels Section 1 victory over Yorktown. Prunty rocketed home some mid-range rips and finished with four goals and two assists in a slugfest sectional semi-final win against Mahopac.
Brecht and his assistant coaches at Siena have been strong presences in the local area. The Saints boasted six Westchester and Putnam County area players on the roster this season, including Kyle Vercruysse of Yorktown.
Prunty said a pair of friends from Lakeland attend Siena and hes interested in what the school has to offer. Marist is another school that intrigues him. Prunty is friendly with Marist defensemen Brendan Brunelle, who played at Yorktown and earned All-Section honors his junior and senior seasons.
While Prunty is aware of the big decision that awaits him, hes keeping his eyes on the prize. He says winning games and advancing in the state tournament is first and foremost.
Hudson Valley All-Americans and their college choices
Kevin Interlicchio, sr., attack, Yorktown/Johns Hopkins
Conor Prunty, jr., midfield, Lakeland/Panas/undecided
Shawn Honovich, sr., midfield, Lakeland/Panas/Fairfield
Andrew Fazio, sr., defense, Lakeland/Panas/Keene State
Mike Daniello, jr., attack, John Jay/Johns Hopkins
Jameson Pickel, sr., defense/LSM, John Jay/Johns Hopkins
Ryan Fitzgerald, sr., attack, Put Valley/St. John’s
John Brandofino, sr., attack, Mahopac/New York Tech
Bobby Sincero, sr., goaltender, Hen Hud/Army
MSG Varsity coverage
* New York state semifinal/Connecticut final predictions
LaxLessons.com recruiting coverage
Posted In: Recruiting Rundown
Out of all the schools you just mentioned, I think Fairfield would be the best fit (assuming they have his major). Best academics out of the schools mentioned and probably the most upside in terms of lax program with a young energetic coach, very good conference, good facilities and lots of young talent. Plus, he would get to follow his partner in crime Honovich and hopefully continue to win championships… oh, and live on the beach.
I’d be surprised if other schools don’t jump on the band wagon though after seeing him play.
I think he will gain more interest on Thursday. He has grown into a big time recruit. I know a few coaches and at Yorktown Saturday they were all impressed. One called him stud and another said he was just awesome. Sometimes kids blossom later. He will be a dominant force next year for he is doing all this with a pole on him. Burke from Town covered him and he didn’t step back at all. I saw Scotty Marr there as well and Albany would be good to grab him before some other schools do. Saw on his list Delaware. That would be a nice fit as well.
KDog,
Assuming Prunty is on the HV team + other tournaments he plays this summer I assume the list of schools interested in him will grow greatly.
Sure he will be patient and not jump on anything before he sees all his realistic choices.
A lot of the big D1’s don’t have any more scholarship money for the Class of 2011. Their loss. Prunty can help lots more than some of the kids they got committments from as juniors – not saying any names or anything.
Gotta give credit to Brian Brecht for once again finding a diamond in the rough from HV/LI area in Prunty last year at this time. Now everyone knows about him.
Tru but like he can step in and play right away maybe even start at Siena and all.
I’m 100% sure the list will grow, however most of the established D-1 schools (Cuse, ACC’s,Hopkins, etc) all have their 2011 class commited by now. They may have a litte $ left, but not much. It’s not like it used to be.
It would be fun to watch both Shawn H. and Conor P. at Fairfield if thats where Conor P ends up.
KDog,
Hey would love to see Conor at one of the “less established” D1 schools and light it up in wins.near wins vs the big AA factories like what happened in certain cases in the playoffs (Stony Brook, Delaware, Army,ND, etc).
Wonder if Conor will crack the list of preseason Top 50 seniors in the nation?
Doubt it. Great player, but inside lacrosse is very political. Not to mention there are a ton of players better even than Prunty who didn’t make the top 50 rising juniors. I’m talking big time recruits like Tom Gordon (Garden City – Johns Hopkins), although I expect to see him in the rising seniors list.
Siena would be a perfect fit for Conor. He could start from Day 1 and end his career with 4 NCAA tournament appearances.
Yeh he would def have a sick career at Siena.
C’mon now. We all know Fairfield alongside Hono is where he belongs.
I think he will end up at Siena