3 take next step
JACKSON TWP — Their high school careers might be over, but a trio of Seneca Valley boys lacrosse players aren't putting down their sticks just yet.
Colin O'Donoghue (Wingate [N.C.] University), Brent Rotz (Mercyhurst) and Tyler Bond (Ohio Wesleyan) all will play the sport at the college level.
They helped SV reach the WPSLA title game in 2008 and to win the WPIAL Division I North Division title this season.
"As a group, those three combined for a lot of points for us," said SV coach Peter Hoffman. "But even more than that, they set an example for the younger kids on the team as to how hard you have to work. That's been a huge part of our success."
O'Donoghue and Rotz, an attacker and midfielder, respectively, along with SV defender Vince Ulizio, were chosen as all-league selections this spring.
O'Donoghue and Rotz also were named all-Americans by U.S. Lacrosse.
"It means all the hard work over the last few years, inside and outside of practice, has paid off," O'Donoghue said.
Summer lacrosse camps helped many of SV's players take their game to another level. That is the case for O'Donoghue, who took part in his first camp after his seventh-grade year.
"When you go to those camps, you have to adapt to a lot of other styles of play," he said. "You're so used to playing with your teammates on the school's team, but then you are out there with a bunch of different players and it gives you a better overall feel for the game."
O'Donoghue recorded 35 goals and 20 assists for the Raiders in 2009 and was named SV Offensive Player of the Year for the third consecutive season.
He finished his high school career with more than 100 goals and nearly 200 points.
"My sophomore season, we were a very young team," O'Donoghue said. "The underclassmen, myself included, were asked to do a lot for the team.
"Taking on that responsibility as a young player really got me thinking about playing in college."
Rotz played midfield for the varsity team for four years and takes some great memories with him.
"We had never beaten (North Allegheny) by the time I got to varsity, but we did my junior and senior years," he said. "We reached the title game my junior year and I loved every minute that I got to play with my teammates."
Rotz, who was named the Raiders' MVP after netting 17 goals and 18 assists, also excelled with his defensive responsibilities at midfield.
"You have to be willing to work," he said. "There will be days when you're not getting the offensive shifts that you are looking for, but you just have to bear down. And you have to make sure that you're in shape.
Bond received the Coach's Choice Award after scoring 30 goals and six assists from his midfield position.
The award is given annually to a player for his overall contribution to the team.
Bond played several years of football and baseball before taking up lacrosse. As is the case with many youngsters, lacrosse quickly turned into his favorite sport.
"I had a friend who was playing lacrosse and I thought it sounded cool," Bond said. "I wanted to try something new and, when I scored my first goal in sixth grade, I was hooked."
