Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 10/9/17
From Press Release
This offseason, the Saint Joseph’s men’s lacrosse program is introducing its 19 newest Hawks, which includes 17 true freshmen, a sophomore transfer, and a graduate student addition to the 2018 spring roster. With the departure of 18 letterwinners, including five starters, from last year’s team, this incoming group comprised of three attackmen, 11 midfielders, four defensemen, and a goalkeeper will add to a Hawks squad that has reached the Northeast Conference postseason in three of their last four seasons under the direction of seventh-year head coach Taylor Wray.
#7 Will McNamara • M • 6-0 • 185 • Gr. • Haverford, Pa. • Haverford School/Virginia • Financial Services (M.S.)
McNamara arrives on Hawk Hill by way of the University of Virginia (2015-17), where he played in 45 games and earned five starts as a senior last spring. McNamara redshirted his freshman season at UVA and will exhaust his final year of eligibility as a member of the Crimson and Gray this spring. McNamara scored four goals – including two against then-nationally ranked opponents – and added a pair of assists to go with 60 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers as a short stick defensive midfielder for the Cavaliers.
Coming out of high school in 2012, McNamara was an Under Armour All-American, ESPNU All-American, two-time First-Team All-Phillylacrosse.com pick and USILA All-American as a senior and was listed as the No. 1 incoming midfielder in the country by Inside Lacrosse. McNamara led the Haverford School to a 44-2 record over his junior and senior seasons (2011-12), including a 23-0 junior season in which he was tabbed a 2011 Underclass Under Armour All-American, ESPNU All-American, and USILA All-American. SJU’s incoming veteran midfielder was a three-time All-Inter-Ac First Team selection and also lettered in soccer and basketball at the Haverford School. Lacrosse runs in the family as McNamara’s younger brother, Tommy, plays at Notre Dame and stepbrother, T.J., played at Amherst.
Explain who or what most influenced you to attend SJU:
“Coach Taylor Wray and Coach Dan Keating, alumni Pat Swanick and Rob Watts, and SJU alumnus John Swanick were helpful in illuminating how SJU athletics prepared them for success after college. The people as well as the combination of academic and athletic excellence drew me to compete in the classroom and on the field in hopes of contributing to the Hawks’ mission of competing for a league title and NCAA tournament bid.”