Hempstead, NY - Hofstra University Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Seth Tierney today announced that four high school student-athletes have signed National Letters of Intent to attend the University commencing in September, 2012.
The four scholastic student-athletes, Vinny Colatriano (Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan HS), Sam Llinares (Hauppauge, NY/Hauppauge HS), Shane Sweeney (Hicksville, NY/Hicksville HS) and Brian von Bargen (Wantagh, NY/Wantagh) are the first members of the Pride's 2012 recruiting class.
Vinny Colatriano - Midfield/Face-off
6-3, 225, Freshman
Bridgewater, NJ/Bridgewater-Raritan
Will play his fourth season of lacrosse at Bridgewater-Raritan High School in New Jersey...Member of the Panthers' 2011 New Jersey State Championship team that posted a 20-2 record and was ranked eighth in the nation by LaxPower...Also a member of the Group 4 State Championship team in 2009...won 76 percent of his face-offs through his first three seasons...Also played three seasons of football...Personal: Born October 20, 1993...Has two sisters including a twin...Recruited by UMass, Rutgers, Towson, North Carolina, Lehigh, Denver and Penn State...Served as president of Rachel's Challenge at Bridgewater HS...United Way volunteer.
Sam Llinares - Attack
5-9, 170, Freshman
Hauppauge, NY/Hauppauge
Will play his fourth year of lacrosse at Hauppauge High School in 2012...All-Suffolk County selection in 2011...Tallied 64 points for the Eagles as a junior...Recorded 65 points as a sophomore and 40 points as a freshman...Has also played three years of soccer and was an all-county selection...Five-time Scholar-Athlete award winner...Personal: Born December 13, 1993...Has one sister...Enjoys golf, roller hockey and video games in his free time...Recruited by Ohio State, Johns Hopkins, Maryland and Notre Dame...Participated in Headstrong Foundation fundraiser, Hauppauge Helps Haiti, Stay Strong Fundraiser for Nick Mauriello and breast cancer walkathons.
Shane Sweeney - Defense
5-11, 180, Freshman
Hicksville, NY/Hicksville
Will play his fourth season of lacrosse at Hicksville High School in 2012...All-Nassau County selection as a junior in 2011...Led the Comets in ground balls and takeaways as they advanced to the county semifinals...Started at close defense on the Comets' county semifinalist team as a sophomore...Voted Defensive Most Valuable Player on the team and was the only freshman to play on the varsity in 2009 that captured the county championship...Also played on the Hicksville football team...Personal: Born July 24, 1994...Has one sister...Enjoys fishing, hunting and golf...Recruited by Notre Dame, Navy, Fairfield and UMass...Has coached Hicksville PAL lacrosse for fifth and sixth graders and has volunteered at a school for children with Down Syndrome.
Brian von Bargen - Midfield
6-2, 200, Freshman
Wantagh, NY/Wantagh
Will play his fourth year of lacrosse at Wantagh High School in 2012...All-Nassau County honorable mention as a junior in 2011...Member of Wantagh Warrior teams that advanced to the county final as a sophomore in 2010 and county semifinals in 2009 and 2011...Named Rising Sophomore in 2009, Rising Junior in 2010 and Rising Senior in 2011 at the Nassau County Showcase...Played three seasons of varsity football at Wantagh...All-county selection...Helped lead the Warriors into the Nassau County title game as a senior and county semifinal as a sophomore and junior...Also played two seasons on the varsity basketball team...Personal: Born March 30, 1994...Has two brothers.