Photo by Ray Passaro/LI Sports Shots
A combination of quickness and stick skills makes Mike Cirrone an especially effective defenseman when it comes to a couple of key aspects of the game.
The rising senior at Ward Melville High School (NY) is known for his takeaway checks and his outstanding clearing ability.
It’s those attributes that attracted attention from Division I programs. This past weekend, Cirrone decided on a destination, giving a verbal commitment to the newly launched program at the University of Richmond, a decision first reported by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section.
The 6-foot, 170-pound Cirrone, a lefty, just returned from Maryland where he played on the Long Island team at the Under Armour Underclass Showcase. He was also a member of the Suffolk team at the Long Island Showcase each of the last three years, and was an LI Laxfest all-star in both 2013 and ’14 and Nike Blue Chip all-star in 2013.
Cirrone is also a varsity hockey standout for Ward Melville.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Mike on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
The coaching staff and the great academics.
When I first stepped on campus, the coaching staff immediately made me feel at home.
The school has so much to offer and has great academic programs in order to set you up for success in life after college.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I was talking to Yale, Towson, Marist and St. Joseph’s. I only had a chance to visit Richmond.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
I would say my strengths as a player are my quickness and my stick skills. I would describe my style of play as aggressive who tries to create a turnover and push the ball down the field.
What area of your game do you need to work on?
Areas of my game I always want to focus on improving are my stick skills and athleticism. The area I want to improve the most right now is my off-ball defense and communication.
How did you get introduced to lacrosse?
I was introduced to lacrosse by my best friend’s dad, Rich Bucaro (father of Georgetown-bound attackman Dan Bucaro) in kindergarten.
What travel team do you play on what showcase events did you participate in?
I play on Patriot Elite Green which is through Ward Melville. This summer I participated in the Long Island Showcase for Team Suffolk, the all-star game at the Long Island Laxfest, and the Under Armour Underclass Games for team Long Island.
Any final thoughts?
I would like to thank my parents and family for always supporting me. I would like to thank my coaches in my younger years: coaches Bucaro, McGinley, McCulloch and Swift.
I would especially like to thank my (Ward Melville) coaches for the last five years Coach (Jay) Negus and Coach (Chris) Muscarella.
They have all made me the lacrosse player I am today.
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
