Fontanesi Transfers from Maryland to Marquette

Fontanesi on the field for Maryland (Photo via lax.com)

When the Golden Eagles of Marquette University first take the field in 2013, don’t be surprised to see plenty of Warriors on the squad. Midfielder Joey Fontanesi of Maryland is the latest addition to an MU roster that already has a strong Brother Rice influence. From the official Marquette release:

Fontanesi will be the lone senior when the MU men’s lacrosse team takes to the field for their first season of competition in spring 2013. He was the No. 14-ranked freshman midfielder in the nation coming out of Brother Rice, according to Inside Lacrosse. Fontanesi tallied 126 goals, 82 assists and 140 groundballs during his high school career, helping Brother Rice claim four MHSAA championships, including an 85-4 record in four seasons.

“Joey, having just been a part of a team [Maryland] that competed in the national championship game, is excited about his challenge of becoming a leader for us,” said Amplo. “He played for a staff that demands excellence and in a program that has a history of success. I am confident Joey will help set our standards for hard work and success.”

He hasn’t seen a whole lot of the field in College Park, with a 3-year stat line that looks like this:

• 2009 (Freshman) – 4 games, 2 Shots (1 on goal), 1 GB.
• 2010 (Sophomore) – Did not see game action.
• 2011 (Junior) – 4 games 1 turnover.

Perhaps a change of pace is just what the doctor ordered, and as the lone senior on the 2013 Marquette squad, he’ll be the most experienced – and one of the most talented – players on the roster.

Luke Timmis will be a redshirt sophomore on scholarship for the Eagles in 2013, after playing for the Marquette MCLA team in 2011. He played in all 12 games, and led the Golden Eagles with 60 ground balls. KC Kennedy is in head coach Joe Amplo’s inaugural recruiting class of 2011, and the 2012 class includes another Warrior in Henry Nelson, giving Marquette a strong Brother Rice influence.

With the emergence of two Division-1 squads in the midwest, one of the midwest’s premier high schools for the sport looks to benefit. Expect Marquette and Michigan (along with long-established D-1 teams) to have plenty of recruiting battles over Rice products.