Everything changed for Jack Lydon once he switched to defense.
When he first started playing lacrosse in sixth grade, Lydon was in the midfield. But he admitted he didn’t enjoy the sport very much that year.
“My stick skills weren’t that good, and I couldn’t play offense that well,” Lydon said. “I always played physical, so they put me on defense the next year. It suited my style, and that’s when I started to take the sport seriously.”
At the end of his seventh-grade season with Evanston’s youth travel club, Lydon was selected the team’s MVP, he said. Lydon continued to improve, earning a spot on varsity as a freshman at Evanston. He saw more action as a sophomore and became a starter last year.
Now a senior defenseman for the Wildkits, Lydon has signed a national letter of intent to play college lacrosse for Lafayette in Easton, Pennsylvania. He’s the first player in Adam Hughes’ six seasons as Evanston’s coach to sign with a Division I college. The achievement will be celebrated at the school during a ceremony on Wednesday.
“A lot of guys plateau at a young age, but Jack was not one of those,” Hughes said. “He wanted to be the best he could be. You could see his potential, but most kids don’t recognize that opportunity. I felt he could play at the college level.”
Hughes said the 6-foot, 180-pound Lydon is the player every coach loves to have on the roster. In addition to his experience, Lydon has enhanced his stick acumen and better understands defensive strategy.
In three games played this season, Lydon scored two goals, and created both from the defensive end.
“He had a problem even clearing the ball as a sophomore,” Hughes said. “Now, he can scoop up a ground ball, weave in and out of traffic and score on the other end. Those are types of goals that elevate the team’s spirit.
“I trust him out there on defense, and he’s an exciting player to watch.”
The biggest thing Lydon said he’s learned over the years is how to properly play his position. Instead of throwing checks and being wild with his stick, he said he plays more with his feet and body.
“To play at higher levels, you have to have good footwork,” he said. “I have adjusted to that. I also invested a lot of time improving my stick skills.”
Lydon verbally committed to Lafayette last summer and signed on Nov. 12.
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Hughes said that Lydon signing to a Division I program is a special moment for both Lydon and the Wildkits. That’s why he wants to make sure Lydon gets the attention he deserves at next week’s ceremonial signing day. He called Lydon’s scholarship “hitting the big time.”
Even though Lydon will be signing a fake NLI on Wednesday, he also recognized the significance of the day.
“I think it’s important to our team, so we all can get some attention and let people know we are progressing every year,” Lydon said. “It’s going to be cool.”
Twitter: @harnesspreps