The growth of a high school sports program can be measured in many ways.

But sending players on to compete in college is a good start.

That's what the Seneca Valley boys lacrosse team did Wednesday, as seniors Mike Johnson, Will Robbins and Shawn Cross all signed letters of intent to continue playing the sport at the collegiate level.

The three join 2005 SV grads Rob Beauseigneur and Peet Poillon as the only Seneca Valley products who will have gone on to play men's lacrosse in college.

Beauseigneur is currently at St. Vincent College and Poillon chose Howard County (Md.) Community College, just outside of Baltimore.

Raiders coach Dan Soper said that players moving on to the next level is a sign that the SV program is headed in the right direction.

"I think it says we're doing things right," said Soper. "We're preparing kids and giving them the opportunity to play in college."

Johnson, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound defender, is headed to Lycoming College, a Division III school in Williamsport.

Robbins is a 5-11, 170-pound midfielder who will play at Division II Seton Hill University.

Cross, a midfielder, stands 6-1 and weighs 185 pounds. He will take his talents to Pfeiffer University, near Charlotte, N.C.

Johnson and Robbins are the only players on this year's team to have started since their freshman season.

"Mike ranks in the top three in defenders around the (Western Pennsylvania Scholastic Lacrosse Association)," said Soper. "The first thing you notice is his size. A typical high school attacker can't see over him.

"I worked out with him over the summer a couple of years ago," Soper added. "He checked me when I didn't have a helmet on. He's not a guy you want to run in to on the field."

Robbins, who has tallied 16 points through seven games this year, plays the midfield with a unique perspective.

"Will sees the field better than a midfielder normally would," said Soper. "He sees it like an attacker."

Cross was an attacker on last year's squad, tallying 27 goals on a team that made the WPSLA semifinals.

But this season finds him at midfield, a transition Cross has taken in stride.

"There's a lot more running involved because you have to get back and play defense," he said. "But I'm adapting well to it."

The scoring potential is still there, as evidenced by Cross' 25 points entering Wednesday's game against Trinity.

"Shawn is physical, athletic and fast," said Soper. "And if we don't have the ball, he will challenge for it all over the field."

Johnson, Robbins and Cross are the latest examples of how far the Seneca Valley program has come in six years of existence, despite the team's current 2-5 record.

"It's grown immensely," Johnson said. "There's been such a change in attitude and work ethic. Everything about the program has improved since we were freshmen."

"The improvement has a lot to do with coaching," said Robbins. "But we've also had a ton of athleticism here. We've had a lot of players who could've played other sports."

And SV certainly plans on the three players not being the last to take what they've learned to the college game.

"We set a high standard as a team," said Robbins. "The younger players have big shoes to fill. But they have a lot of talent, so they should have no problem progressing."