The second annual University Classic will be held once again on the University of Pennsylvania Campus at PennPark.
Schedule:
11:00 am Drexel vs Penn
1:15 pm Drexel vs John Hopkins
3:00 pm John Hopkins vs Penn
Previews
Drexel Dragons (13-5/4-1) will face Penn in the first game. These schools are seperated by a mile at the most. At one time or another paths are crossed with the students during the nighttime and the weekends. Last time these two schools met was on May 11, 2014 in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. Drexel started out slow but in the second half they were on fire as they defeated Penn 16-11 at Franklin Field. Drexel’s season came to an end the following week as they fell to Denver 15-6. Last year these teams met in the Classic and it had the feel of more then just a fall ball game. They had bragging rights on the line. Drexel goes into this season looking to replace Ben MacIntosh (48 G/17 A) and Nick Trizano (40 G/14 A), MacIntosh was just selected number one overall in the NLL Draft by the Edmonton Rush. He will join former Drexel Alumn Robert Church. Sr. Ryan Belka (25 G/21 A) and So. Cole Shafer (35 G/18 A) will be looked at to carry the scoring load for the Dragons. Drexel will then Face John Hopkins at 1:15. This will be an interesting matchup and a good measuring stick for Drexel.
Penn Quakers (11-4/7-2) went on an eight-game winning streak to end the regular season last spring before falling to Drexel 16-11 in the NCAA Tournament first round. This is a very well-rounded squad. They only lose two of their top five scorers, Zack Losco (26 G/13 A) and Drew Belinsky (15 G/12 A). Jr. Nick Doktor returns after a stellar sophomore season (23 G/19 A). The question now will be between the pipes for Penn. Brian Feeney was 11-4 in his senior year and now the reigns could be handed over to local product Sr. John Lopes (Conestoga HS). But he may have some competition from Jr. Jimmy Sestilio, and So. Ahmed Iftikhar. Another local product, FR. Brian Zappala (Episcopal Academy) will get some time as he gets groomed for the next couple years.
Just as stated earlier, this is more then just fall ball. Penn is looking to make a statement after their loss in the tournament, and to gain a bit of an upper hand on their neighbors as only a mile seperate Penn and Drexel. They kick off at 11 am. Penn with then wait til 3 pm to face John Hopkins. This time Penn will use Hopkins as a measuring stick to see how they are.
John Hopkins Blue Jays (11-5/0-0) Coach Pietramala’s team is coming off an 11-5 season and a second round defeat to the eventual National Champion Duke Blue Devils 19-11. But Hopkins is returning Sr. Wells Stanwick (23 G/44 A), Jr. Ryan Brown (40 G/14 A) and Jr. Holden Cattoni (29 G/6 A). They will obviously miss Brandon Benn’s 40 goals since he graduated at the end of the season. But Coach Pietramala knows how to get the best out of his kids and will look to So. John Crawley (12 G/6 A) in his freshmen year. Hopkins will have their hands full with both Drexel (1:15 pm) and Penn (3 pm).
Caach Pietramala has a 106-30 record at Hopkins, nine NCAA Tournament appearancs, six Final Four appearances, and four National Championship appearances (2003, 2005, 2007, 2008) winning the National Championship in 2005 and 2007.
Fans who attend the event will not only see great lacrosse from local teams Penn & Drexel, but also some great lacrosse from one of the best programs in John Hopkins.
The HEADstrong Foundation will also be there to raise awarness of blood cancer. The foundation was started by Nick Collelouri who lost his battle with non-Hodgkins Lymphoma back on November 28, 2006. To learn more about HEADstrong and Nick’s story and the mission visit www.HEADstrong.org
