If the Ridgefield Tigers are to repeat as Class L Connecticut state champions next season, Eric Scala will undoubtedly be one of the main reasons why.
The rising senior was one of the leading scorers for the Tigers, who downed Fairfield Prep 11-10 in the state final.
No matter what happens next season, Scala will have plenty of lax to look forward to after that.
The 5-foot-10, 180-pound lefty attackman/midfielder gave a verbal commitment last week to join coach Scott Marr’s program at the University of Albany.
Here’s a Q&A with Eric on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision to attend Albany?
Most importantly, the academics and athletics. Albany has a very good business school which is what I want to study. It also has a sick lacrosse program. I really liked Coach Marr and Coach Wolf which strongly influenced my decision. Finally the school is really nice. I have always wanted to go to a big school without feeling completely spread out and that is close to a city and the University of Albany has all of that.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
Other schools that I was interested in were Quinnipiac, Lafayette, Towson, Salisbury and Vermont. I had visited all of those schools, but Albany was the only place that had everything I wanted.
What adjustments do you think you will need to make to play at the next level?
I will need to adjust to an even faster-paced game. Also, playing Division I lacrosse is a lot different than high school lacrosse. Guys are much bigger and faster at the next level so I will need to get stronger and faster too.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My strengths are that I am a natural lefty and also my shooting. I like the fast pace of the game.
What players have you looked up to as you have moved up through the varsity ranks?
When I was young I always liked watching Sean Morris play for UMass. He was always a playmaker and was calm under pressure. Closer to home though I was strongly influenced by my teammate Andrew Buckanavage, who is going to the University of Vermont to play lacrosse. He worked harder than anyone I have ever seen on and off the field and is definitely someone I have alot of respect for.
When did you first realize you had the potential to play at the college level?
When I was little, my cousin Peter (Scala), who played for Trinity, gave me my first stick and since then I knew I have wanted to play college lacrosse. When I got to high school, I started playing a lot with older kids that had already committed. As they told me, I knew that if I practiced, lifted and ran harder I could make it to the college level.
For more info on Eric, check out his player profile by clicking here.
Follow Joe Lombardi on Twitter @joe_lombardi or by clicking here. Follow LaxLessons @LaxLessons or by clicking here.
Have a recruiting commitment to report? Be sure to email us at info@laxlessons.com.
LAXLESSONS Links
Recruiting coverage
* Updated recruiting review and commitment rundown (for classes of 2012, ’13 and ’14)
* Class of 2011 commitment rundown
* For a list of committed players with their profiles up, click here.
* To get your profile up, click here.
Connect with us
* Follow LaxLessons on Twitter by clicking here.
* Become a Fan of LaxLessons on Facebook now by clicking here.
Posted In: Fairfield lacrosse, fciac, Recruiting Rundown
