UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State men’s lacrosse formally announced its 13 additions to the 2012-13 roster on Thursday to round out its 44-man roster. The Nittany Lions will continue fall workouts in preparation for the 2013 season.
Third-year head coach Jeff Tambroni welcomes James Burke (Duxbury, Mass.), AJ Carfora (Branford, Conn.), James Chakey (Havertown, Pa.), Connor Darcey (Wellesley, Mass.), Sammy Davis (Pittsfield, Mass.), Ryan Guittare (Garnet Valley, Pa.), Drake Kreinz (Sussex, Wis.), Jordan LaTendresse (Danville, Calif.), Tommy O’Neill (Shamong, N.J.), TJ Sanders (Orillia, Ont.), Mat Sexton (Niskayuna, N.Y.), John Van Nessen (Hillsborough, N.J.) and Jordan Weiss (Danville, Calif.).
By position, the newcomers add two attackmen (Sanders, Sexton), five midfielders (Davis, Kreinz, O’Neill, Von Nessen, Weiss), five defenders (Burke, Carfora, Chakey, Guittare, LaTendresse) and a goalie (Darcey). The freshmen hail mostly from the Northeast (Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey), with two from California, and one each from Wisconsin and Ontario.
James Burke
23 – FR – D – 6-0/165 – Duxbury, Mass. / Duxbury
BEFORE PENN STATE
Lettered all four years at Duxbury High school, helping DHS to three state championships in 2009, 2011 and 2012…Earned Boston Herald’s Massachusetts Player of the Year senior year en route to a 21-2 record…Named Patriot League’s Midfielder of the Year…Played five years of club lacrosse for Laxachusetts.
PERSONAL
James Kilduff Burke was born March 31, 1994 in Duxbury, Mass. to Jim and Chris Burke…Has two younger brother Brendan and Brady…Anticipates majoring in business management.
QUOTING BURKE ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the coaching staff along with what Penn State offers academically was a perfect fit for me."
AJ Carfora
17 – FR – D – 5-10/210 – Branford, Conn. / The Salisbury School
BEFORE PENN STATE
Helped lead Salisbury to two New England championships…Earned All-American honors as a senior while serving as team captain…Earned All-Conference honors junior year…Played for the Connecticut Hurricane for four years of club lacrosse…Garnered three letters in lacrosse at Salisbury and two at Branford High School.
PERSONAL
Albert Joseph Carfora IV was born December 2, 1992 in Branford, Conn. to Jeanine and Al Carfora, who played pro basketball in Germany for four years…Has two older sisters named Brittney and Angelena…Majoring in pre-med with an intended career in optometry.
QUOTING CARFORA ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because it’s a great fit for me academically and competitively on the lacrosse field."
James Chakey
13 – FR – D – 6-0/165 – Havertown, Pa. / The Haverford School
BEFORE PENN STATE
Helped lead The Haverford School to four Inter-Ac championships and the 2011 national championship with a 21-2 record…Earned honorable mention All-Inter-Ac senior year earning the John Nostrant Lacrosse Award…Played varsity football at Haverford for four seasons.
PERSONAL
James Edward Chakey was born May 12, 1994 in Havertown, Pa. to James and Clare Chakey…Has a younger sister named Bridget…Majoring in pre-medicine.
QUOTING CHAKEY ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of what the university had to offer me not just with athletics but also academics."
Connor Darcey
16 – FR – G – 6-0/181 – Wellesley, Mass. / Wellesley
BEFORE PENN STATE
Was a four-year starting goalie for Wellesley High School…Two-time high school All-American…Named League MVP two straight years, while earning Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-Scholastic…Named to Metro West All-Scholastic Super Team senior year with a .770 save percentage…Named an ESPN Warrior Top 40 honoree sophomore year as well as a Nike Blue Chip athlete…Helped lead Wellesley to three Herget Division titles (2010-12) and a spot in the Eastern Massachusetts finals senior year…Played club lacrosse for Laxachusetts from 2007-12.
PERSONAL
John Connor Darcey was born June 29, 1993 in Newton, Mass. to Penny and Bill Darcey…Has two brothers named Will and Teddy…Anticipates majoring in business.
QUOTING DARCEY ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the perfect fit of education, highest level of lacrosse, Coach Tambroni and the social aspect of college."
Sammy Davis
18 – FR – M – 5-9/175 – Pittsfield, Mass. / The Governor’s Academy
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played for four seasons at The Governor’s Academy earning Under Amrour All-American honors…Helped lead team to the 2009, 20011 and 2012 ISL titles…Participated in the 2012 Under Armour Classic at Towson with the North Team.
PERSONAL
Samuel Danforth Davis was born June 5, 1993 in Pasadena, Calif. to Audrey Davis…Has an older brother, Tucker, who played four years of lacrosse at Salem State, and a sister, Daisy…Anticipates a major in film.
QUOTING DAVIS ON PENN STATE
"I made the decision to go to Penn State because I believe it’s a good fit for me academically and the coaching staff is unbelievable. Coach Tambroni is one of the best minds in lacrosse and the coaching staff are great people."
Ryan Guittare
10 – FR – D – 6-2/185 – Garnet Valley, Pa. / Garnet Valley
BEFORE PENN STATE
Lettered four years at Garnet Valley High school earning Under Armour All-American honors senior year…Named to All-Philadelphia Inquirer High School team senior year…Was a two-time All-Central League, All-Delco honoree…Named Defensive Team MVP at Garnet Valley senior year, serving at team captain…Named No. 41 overall freshman by Inside Lacrosse, 13th defenseman…Played for Dukes Lacrosse Club for four seasons, serving as captain…Helped lead Dukes to the 2011 Tri-State Nation championships and two Champ Camp national titles…Also lettered for four seasons in football, helping GVHS to two Central League titles as an outside linebacker.
PERSONAL
Ryan Samuel Guittare was born July 10, 1993 in Glen Mills, Pa. to Fran and Sam Guittare, who swam at Widener for four years……Has a brother, Sam, and a sister, Lauren.
QUOTING GUITTARE ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State for the academics, athletics, and the opportunity to start a new power in the world of Division I lacrosse."
Drake Kreinz
38 – FR – M – 6-0/190 – Sussex, Wis. / The Portsmouth Abbey School (R.I.)
BEFORE PENN STATE
Most recently played lacrosse for Portsmouth Abbey School in Rhode Island for two seasons earning All-Conference and league MVP…Lettered for the years at Kettle Moraine High in Wisconsin…Earned All-State and All-Conference in 2009 and 2010 at KMHS…Played one year for the Milwaukee Select club team.
PERSONAL
Drake William Kreinz was born August 8, 1992 in Milwaukee, Wis. to Kim and Steve Kreinz…Has three younger brothers named Austin, Logan and Noah as well as a younger sister named Ella…Intending to major in business and be a sports agent after graduation.
QUOTING KREINZ ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the team, coaching staff and the campus atmosphere is unlike any other."
Jordan LaTendresse
27 – FR – D – 6-6/215 – Danville, Calif. / San Ramon Valley
BEFORE PENN STATE
Lettered for four years at San Ramon Valley, earning USILA All-American and Adrenalin All-American honors in 2011…Named a two-time All-League first-team member…Led the team as captain in 2009 and 2011…Helped lead San Ramon to the CIF State title in 2008…Played for two years with the Alcatraz Outlaws, four years with Brady’s Bunch and four years with Nor Cal in club lacrosse.
PERSONAL
Jordan Paul LaTendresse was born February 9, 1993 in Santa Clara, Calif. to Geoff and Robin LaTendresse…Has a younger sister, Kelsey…Cousin, Travis LaTendresse, played football at Utah and tried out with the Baltimore Ravens…Majoring in finance and intends to be an investment banker after college.
QUOTING LATENDRESSE ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because to further my education and play lacrosse at a high level."
Tommy O’Neill
37 – FR – M – 5-11/185 – Shamong, N.J. / St. Augustine Prep
BEFORE PENN STATE
Named a USILA All-American senior year while serving as a co-captain and earning second-team All-State…Ranked No. 19 midfielder in recruiting class by ESPN Rise…Helped lead St. Augustine Prep to non-Public Group A finals appearances in 2010 and 2011…Earned honorable mention All-State junior year…Named first-team All-South Jersey by the Philadelphia Inquirer in 2011 and 2012…Lettered three years in lacrosse at St. Augustine Prep…Played club lacrosse with Tri-State Lacrosse and SouthShore Lacrosse.
PERSONAL
Thomas Carl O’Neill, Jr. was born August 29, 1993 in Shamong, N.J. to Tom and Lisa O’Neill…Has two older sisters, Sarah and Jesse…From an athletic family as father, Tom, lettered four years at Susquehanna in football, mother, Lisa, played field hockey for three years at North Carolina and sister, Sarah, played one year of lacrosse at Lehigh…Intends to major in business.
QUOTING O’NEILL ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because it has a rich tradition, great supporting alumni and the big college atmosphere."
TJ Sanders
29 – FR – A – 6-0/175 – Orillia, Ontario / The Millbrook School (N.Y.)
BEFORE PENN STATE
Played for three years at the Millbrook School in New York…Helped lead team to a 13-4 record senior year…Played club lacrosse for Team Ontario and Edge Lacrosse.
PERSONAL
Taylor Jeffrey Sanders was born September 17, 1993 in Orillia, Ontario to Jeff and Robin Sanders…Has a younger sister, Jordi…Anticipates a major in business…One of three Nittany Lions from the province of Ontario, joining sophomore Jack Donnelly and junior Ryne Sternberg, both from Toronto.
QUOTING SANDERS ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because it is the place that I feel I will fit in and succeed the most."
Matt Sexton
39 – FR – A – 5-11/170 – Niskayuna, N.Y. / Niskayuna
BEFORE PENN STATE
Earned All-Region honors and MVP honors senior year, leading Niskayuna to a 20-2 record, scoring 63 goals and 52 assists…A prolific scorer, totaled 123 goals and 93 assists in four seasons…Helped lead Niskayuna to state semifinals in 2010 and 2012, while helping with a state finals appearance in 2009…Earned regional and sectional championships in 2009, 2010 and 2012…Named to the Upstate New York Under Armour Team in 2010 and 2011…Played club lacrosse for the Albany Power for six seasons.
PERSONAL
Matthew Moore Sexton was born December 12, 1993 in Albany, N.Y. to Tim and Jen Sexton…Has a younger brother, James, and a younger sister, Catherine…Intends to pursue a career in business upon graduation.
QUOTING SEXTON ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because I am excited by the opportunities Penn State and Coach Tambroni have to offer."
John Von Nessen
40 – FR – M – 6-2/210 – Hillsborough, N.J. / Hillsborough
BEFORE PENN STATE
Lettered for four seasons at Hillsborough High School in lacrosse…Helped Hillsborough to most successful period of lacrosse with 33 wins from 2009-11, including a school-record 13 victories in 2011…Also lettered four years in football at Hillsborough as starting quarterback, punter and safety…Named Hillsborough Patch’s 2011 Male Athlete of the Year.
PERSONAL
John Eric Von Nessen was born November 30, 1993 in New Hyde Park, N.Y. to John and Mary Von Nessen…Has two older sisters, Alex and Lauren….Majoring in marketing.
QUOTING VON NESSEN ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because of the environment, togetherness of the student body and rise of Penn State lacrosse."
Jordan Weiss
36 – FR – M – 5-11/190 – Danville, Calif. / San Ramon Valley
BEFORE PENN STATE
Helped lead San Ramon Valley to the Northern California championship in 2012 with a 17-3 record…Earned All-American and All-League First Team honors…Lettered in lacrosse for four seasons…Played with the Alcatraz Outlaws club squad for two years.
PERSONAL
Jordan Brian Weiss was born November 24, 1993 in Fresno, Calif. to Dawn and Scott Weiss…Has two brothers, Patrick, who played water polo at Santa Clara, and Jacob…Enrolled in the division of undergraduate studies at Penn State with hopes of pursuing a sports career after graduation.
QUOTING WEISS ON PENN STATE
"I chose Penn State because I wanted a big school with a good tradition and athletics."
