There’s little question what Joe Licata’s strengths are on the lacrosse field.
The rising junior midfielder at Sachem East High School (N.Y.) has the coveted combination of speed and skills.
Those ingredients helped him earn a spot in the Class of 2015 all-star game at last week’s Maverik Showtime Lacrosse National Recruiting Spotlight at Western Connecticut State University as well as Blue Chip 225.
And they’re the main reason the 5-foot-8 speedster will be taking his game to the Division I level.
Licata verbally committed to Binghamton University, as reported yesterday at Twitter.com/Joe_Lombardi.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Joe on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
Definitely the price of the school, scholarship money and education. Binghamton’s business program is talked about very highly and I’ve been told that their accounting program was ranked second in the country.
After college, I would like to be an accountant, so I felt BU was the best fit to set me up for a successful life down the road.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I visited Stony Brook right on my way home from Maverick Showtime. I was about to call Lehigh, and I was told that Albany and Sraycuse were interested.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
I think being that I’m very small, my speed and quickness are what developed my game. I’ve gotten to be a strong dodger from up top and I can finish from the outside quite well. Having the speed enables me to get to open spaces for a time-and-room shot faster than the defense can react which is definitely a major help. Also being able to score with both hands almost equally is a huge help.
What area of your game do you need to work on?
The area of my game I need to work on is probably team defense. Being a two-way middie can be a struggle. You always have to know if you’re the “help” (1 or 2 slide). My one-on-one defense isn’t that bad but I have to learn how to really help out the backside and prevent a backdoor cut.
How did you get introduced to lacrosse and what other sports have you played?
I was introduced to lacrosse in the sixth grade when a parent on my youth football team saw my speed. He told my dad “Put a stick in his hand,” and I was all for it. I played baseball my entire life up to that point and as soon as I picked up a stick, I fell in love with the lacrosse.
At my high school, I play volleyball and lacrosse. This past year, I played basketball as well, but I quit to use the winter to work on my off hand for lacrosse.
My high school lacrosse team has winter workouts and I’d much rather be there playing my favorite sport of them all. If I could stay a three-sport athlete, I would, but I’m going to leave the winter school season for extra workouts with the lacrosse team.
What travel team do you play on what showcase events did you participate in?
I play for the No Limit Ballers. I was a Maverick Showtime all-star and a Blue Chip 225 all-star. I won Summer Sizzle this past year with the Ballers. I will be attending (Battle of the) Hot Beds (July 21-24 at the University of Delaware).
Any final thoughts?
I would really like to thank my coach of the No Limit Ballers, Jim Konen, for always helping me with the recruiting process, my high school assistant coach Justin O’Connell for helping me with the recruiting process and my three best friends who supported me all the time and were there when I committed: Nick Page, Stephen Panno and Tyler Alvarez.
Also my dad, who never let my ego get big and helped me strive to be the best I can be on and off the field.
Have a recruiting commitment to report? Email us at info@laxlessons.com or send a Tweet to @Joe_Lombardi or @LaxLessons.
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Posted In: Long Island lacrosse, Recruiting Rundown, Section 11