Danny Dolan verbally commits to the University of Massachusetts

Congratulations to 2014 WEST team player and Original Outlaw Danny Dolan on verbally commiting to the University of Massachusetts. Great job Danny!

Garden City’s Dolan decides he’ll be making his stops at UMass

LaxLessons.com | 07/25/2012

One of the catalysts for Garden City in its run to an unbeaten season and the Class B state championship was the play of goaltender Dan Marino.

Marino is now headed to the University

of Virginia, leaving a huge hole in goal for the Trojans.

Two  of the players hoping to fill it are rising senior Matt Cortese and rising junior Danny Dolan.

Dolan became the first member of the Trojans’ Class of 2014 to make an official collegiate verbal commitment earlier this week when he verballed to UMass, as originally reported on Twitter.com/joe_lombardi.

The 6-foot, 195-pound Dolan, who made the all-star game at the Jake Reed Blue Chip Camp, is a lefty with quick hands who’s been playing lax since age 4.

Now, here’s a Q&A with Danny on his commitment:

What were the main factors in your decision?

I wanted to go to a school that had a strong academic and lacrosse program and a good location. (Head) Coach (Greg) Cannella, (Assistant) Coach (Brian) Jacovina and (Assistant) Coach (Doc) Schneider are great and also made me feel very comfortable when I went to visit UMass.

I immediately felt this was the right place for me. I also like how Coach Schneider was one of the best goalies to ever play and he coaches the goalies there.

What other schools were you considering and what schools did you visit?

I strongly considered Villanova, Fairfield

, Ohio State, Binghamton, North Carolina and Hofstra.

What are your strengths as a player and how would you describe your style of play?

I fill up the cage and play the angles well giving shooters little net to shoot at. I also have very quick hands and start transition off saves.

What areas of your game have you been working to improve on?

I can be hard on myself. I’m working on letting the last shot go and focusing on the next one.

Who have been some of the biggest influences on you during your development as a player?

I have been lucky to be playing at Garden City HS and (Head) Coach (Steve) Finnell and (Assistant) Coach (Joe) Jacovina have helped me adjust to playing at a higher level on varsity. Also, Mr. (Joe) Guterding has helped me with the little things and Breakout Goaltending helped me when I was younger. Coach (Pat) Brennan, who coaches my club team, has helped me tremendously since the fifth grade.

What travel team did you play on and what were some of the big showcase events you participated in last summer?

I have continued playing with the Long Island Outlaws 2014 Black. This summer, I participated in the LI Showcase Rising Juniors – Team Nassau, Jake Reed, Maverick Showtime, the Brine Shootout and played at team MVP camp where I made the all-star game.

* For more info on Danny, check out his player profile by clicking here.