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Declan McDermott is on the fast track to success.
Literally.
The two-way midfielder is coming off a spring season in which he started as a freshman, helping Pleasantville win its first-ever Section 1 (NY) title, beating 2014 state champ Bronxville in the title game.
Though he has three more varsity seasons, McDermott, a speedy player who excels in transition, now knows where that fast track will take him at the collegiate level.
McDermott verbally committed to the admissions process at the College of Holy Cross last week, a decision first reported by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section.
The 5-foot-10, 150-pound McDermott, a righty, is Pleasantville’s second 2018 commit, joining Fairfield University-bound attackman Brian Reda.
Now, here’s a Q&A with Declan on his commitment.
What were the main factors in your decision?
There were a combination of factors that set the College of the Holy Cross apart for me.
The high academic standards, competing in the Patriot League, the Jesuit education, and the dedicated Crusader coaching staff helped make my decision easy.
What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?
I was considering another Patriot League school and two other Division 1 universities.
Have you decided what academic major you plan to pursue?
I am thinking it could be something in the field of medicine/science.
What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?
I would describe my style of play to be uptempo. I enjoy playing defense and acting as an outlet for the goalie after a save.
Running is one of my strengths so I like pushing the ball in transition.
Additionally, another strength in my game is the ability to dodge and shoot from both sides of the field using both hands.
An important attribute to my game is speed and stamina, which is crucial in transition.
What area of your game do you need to work on?
I am now focusing on increasing my strength and improving my outside shot.
How did you get introduced to lacrosse and what other sports have you played?
My dad introduced the game to me at a very young age. I played Pleasantville Youth Lacrosse since I was in first grade.
Growing up, I also played football, soccer, basketball and swam. Also in high school I started running track. In my free time, I still snowboard and golf.
What travel team do you play on what showcase events did you participate in?
I play on Long Island Express North.
As a team over the last year we have attended many team showcases. Individually, I attended Moonlight Showcase, Maverik Showtime, Fall Philly Freshman, and a bunch of college prospect days.
Any final thoughts and people you want to thank for helping you reach this point?
First and foremost, I would like to thank my family, especially my parents for their guidance and instilling confidence in me. I would not be where I am without my parents and my three brothers.
I would also like to thank the Long Island Express North coaches, Coach Schreiber, Coach Muller, and Coach Reda, for always keeping high expectations for my teammates and me. Being a part of Express North 2018 has been an amazing experience. I would also like to acknowledge the guidance I received during the recruiting process from Chris Schreiber and the LI Express organization.
I also would like to thank my Pleasantville High School coaches, Coach Chris Kear, Coach Bob Kear, Coach Sanders, and Coach Bordonaro, for all of their instruction in the game and for continually impressing on me and my teammates the importance of teamwork and dedication.
Additionally, I would like to thank all of these coaches for helping me continually improve as a player. I would also like to thank my Pleasantville Youth Lacrosse coaches for teaching me how to play the game the right way. I would especially like to thank coaches Scott Thomas and Rich Reda for coaching me since I first started playing.
Lastly, I would like to thank all of my teammates over the years especially my Express North teammates and Pleasantville Varsity teammates. Your leadership, dedication, sportsmanship, and camaraderie has made me a better player.
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Posted In: Hudson Valley, Recruiting Rundown, Section 1
