![Old Central New York Lacrosse Friends Now Aiming for NCAA Title](https://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2019/05/96DDE18E-A2D9-486C-860D-CE804877E2AC.jpeg?w=980&q=75)
Old Central New York Lacrosse Friends Now Aiming for NCAA Title
They're all grown up now, but now they're teammates AND opponents.
Three lifelong buddies from Madison County will represent Central New York and their Cazenovia families and roots when they take the field Sunday, May 19, in a NCAA Division One quarterfinal lacrosse tournament game. T.J. Connellan, P.J. Brown and Cole Willard have transitioned from just kids playing games to young men vying for collegiate lacrosse glory.
Connellan and Willard (far left and right, respectively, in the photo) play for the #1-ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, while Brown plays for the Loyola Greyhounds, who knocked out the Orange in first round tourney action this year. The two teams were set for a Sunday match-up and a shot to advance to the lacrosse final four. Here's a look at the young men currently, from their respective bio pages:
They all played under Jim Longo, the affable head coach of the Cazenovia High School team. In another CNY connection, Connellan and Willard (below) now play for Jeff Tambroni, who previously coached at Cornell and starred for the prestigious West Genesee high school program.
Willard is shooting for a goal that eluded his dad and his uncle. Brian and Phil Willard both started for the University of Maryland, but came up just shy of national championships in the 80s with great Terrapin teams.
More From 96.9 WOUR
![Could You Afford To Live In This Stunning Mansion In Cazenovia?](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2022/07/attachment-CAZENOVIA-MANSION-COVER-PICTURE.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Stroll Through Stunning Sunflower Labyrinth on CNY Farm This Summer](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2022/08/attachment-Sunflowers_Aerial.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![GALLERY: You Need To Visit These 10 Places in Central New York](http://townsquare.media/site/40/files/2021/04/attachment-Untitled-design-24.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Update- A Plane Did Not Crash In Upstate New York Near Cazenovia](http://townsquare.media/site/40/files/2022/06/attachment-josue-isai-ramos-figueroa-n2NBgIx3A28-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Library In Cazenovia Is Home To 2,000 Year Old Egyptian Mummy](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2022/04/attachment-Untitled-design-2022-04-12T105521.247.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Your Dream Million Dollar Farm House is Up For Sale in Central NY](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2022/01/attachment-DREAM-FARM-HOUSE.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![New Movie Will Inspire You On Road Trip Through Central New York](http://townsquare.media/site/39/files/2021/10/attachment-Hudson.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Utica Yeti Lacrosse Club is Back in Action at the Aud This Weekend](http://townsquare.media/site/41/files/2017/08/GettyImages-819239610.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![‘Iron Man’ of New York Shows Up at Bars and Presses Clothes for Free](http://townsquare.media/site/937/files/2024/03/attachment-iron-clothes-bar2.jpg?w=980&q=75)