Evan Connell
#99, 5’10”, 185 lbs.
Lutherville, Md. (Calvert Hall)
Inside Lacrosse Recruitment Ranking 2012:
#2 Defenseman
#11 Overall
Connell is one of the most highly touted freshman in a stacked North Carolina men’s lacrosse recruiting class. Coach Joe Breschi has given Connell a chance to step in immediately and start in two preseason scrimmages against top-ranked teams, including defending champions Loyola.
Connell has been impressive in the limited action he’s seen. If the Tar Heels want to go further than last year, Connell may be important in helping to improve an underwhelming defense from last year.
Why did you decide to come to UNC?
I mean it’s beautiful down here. It’s always sunny usually, (I mean that ice storm last week was kind of crazy) but when I was little, when I was like six years old, I just loved UNC lacrosse, so when I got the opportunity to come I had to come.
What does it mean to you to be a Tar Heel?
What does it mean to be a Tar Heel? Wow, some legends have gone through here like Michael Jordan. So it feels good to be a Tar Heel.
You’re a part of the best recruiting class in the nation. What is it like being a part of that?
It’s phenomenal. Our freshman class is playing really good in practice. We’re working really hard. I’ve played with a few of them in the past. I played with Spencer (Parks), Jake (Matthai) and Pat (Kelly) from Baltimore. We’re all from the same area, so I mean just getting used to playing with these guys is awesome. Practice out here is just crazy. Everybody’s good.
How does it feel getting the nod to start even though you are a freshman?
I feel honored. I’m so proud of myself. I’m proud that coach is allowing me to play. I’ve been working hard, and I guess the coaches have been seeing that. So they gave me the nod, and I just have got to keep working hard to keep my spot.
You play on a team with Jimmy Bitter, Joey Sankey and Marcus Holman — three of the top attackmen in the nation. How is it playing against them in practice?
It’s very, very hard. I remember being star struck our first practice. Those guys, you watch them on TV in high school and you’re just like, “they’re phenomenal.” You get out here in practice and they’re just killing it, so you just have to get used to the speed of play. Jimmy and Joey are really shifty. Marcus is just such a savvy player. So you kind of get used to them but they’ll still get you’re number every once in a while.
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