William Russo continues to grow and develop as a player, according to his coach at Sachem North High School in Suffolk County (NY), Jason Mauro.
“He’s just starting to come into his own and we look forward to watching him continue to improve,” said Mauro.
That makes Russo, a Class of 2015 midfielder, a perfect fit for the college program he’s decided on — UMass Lowell, which recently upgraded to Division I.
Russo’s verbal was first reported by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section.
“We are very proud of Will,” Sachem North coach Jason Mauro said. “He has worked extremely hard. He has gotten better each day and is a pleasure to coach. He’s a great teammate and very coachable.”
The 6-foot, 150-pound Russo, a righty, is a two-way middie known for his hustle and unselfishness.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Will on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
To make sure the school had a reputable school of business. I wanted to make sure I could see myself attending the school and to play very competitive lacrosse.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
Providence College and University of Scranton.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
My strengths as a player include being able to draw the double and move the ball to the next open man. I feel I am a fundamentally sound player and can play both offense and defense.
What area of your game do you need to work on?
The area of my game I need to work on is being able to dodge better with my weak hand and create space for myself to shoot. I feel I can always work on my strength and speed.
How did you get introduced to lacrosse and what other sports do you play?
I got introduced to lacrosse by my friend, Sean O’Brien, in second grade and I have been in love with the sport since. Other sports I have played include basketball, volleyball, and soccer, which I still continue to play for Sachem North.
What travel team do you play on what showcase events did you participate in?
I do not play for a travel team, I play for my high school, Sachem North, in both the summer and fall.
The showcases that I participated in were LI Showcase, Lehigh Lax Fest, LI Lax Fest and the Mid-Summer Classic.
Any final thoughts?
I would like to thank my parents and coaches. My parents have put so much time into driving me around places and visiting colleges. They have supported me throughout everything and all the choices I have made.
I would like to thank all the coaches I had through the years, Coach Shanahan, Coach O’Brien, Coach Rhatigan, Coach Benway, and Coach Petillo for making me the player I am today.
I would also like to thank Coach Mauro and Coach Lang for all their support and for helping through this process.
Have a recruiting commitment to report? Send an email to info@laxlessons.com, contact Joe Lombardi directly at joe@laxlessons.com or send a Tweet to @Joe_Lombardi or @LaxLessons.
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Posted In: Long Island lacrosse, Recruiting Rundown, Section 11
Good work Will… Just saw this on Twitter and read the artical.