Lehigh University Athletics
Lax friendships last a lifetime
3/31/2011 2:20:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
By Justin Lafleur, Lehigh Sports Media Relations
Transitioning from high school to college is a giant step for a young adult. Adjusting to college life, moving away from home and living independently are all challenges one must face. Perhaps the hardest part is leaving a close group of friends. For sophomore attackmen Dante Fantoni of Lehigh and Will Manny of UMass, they have adjusted to college life while building on an already close friendship, even though their schools are almost 300 miles apart.
A dynamic offensive duo at St. Anthony's (South Huntington, N.Y.), Fantoni and Manny first met during the summer of eighth grade and instantly clicked.
“Will is one of my best friends,” said Fantoni. “We've known each other for five years now and every year, we've gotten closer.”
“We were great buddies,” said Manny. “Throughout high school, we hung out the entire year. We were on the soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams together. That's how our connection built up until senior year, when it really peaked.”
Fantoni and Manny found that instant chemistry on the lacrosse field where they both enjoyed stellar careers at St. Anthony's. As seniors, Fantoni led the team in goals (48), many coming from Manny, who finished the season with 50 assists to go along with his 40 goals for an astounding 90 points.
“People on Long Island knew that we were the one-two duo,” said Manny. “We knew where each other would be at every point. It was a great combination where we just fulfilled each other's needs.”
“Number one to number forty; it happened a lot,” said Fantoni. “That was a big connection in high school. We had great field sense, especially for each other.”
It quickly became evident that both could be successful at the Division I level. Playing for the same college program was something they always thought about.
“We always had some dream schools where we wanted to play,” said Fantoni. “In the end, we were just looking for a couple different things in the schools we were pursuing.”
Despite committing to different schools, the move to college did nothing but pull them closer. Since it's one of the most exciting, yet stressful times, having each other to help through the process proved beneficial.
Manny signed on with UMass early in the recruiting process, so he knew what steps needed to be taken. For someone like Fantoni, having a best friend to turn to was invaluable.
“I really only talked to Will about where I was looking,” said Fantoni. “I trusted him and valued his opinion on schools and where he thought I could play.”
“With me committing earlier, it definitely took a lot of pressure off [my high school teammates] because they had questions they needed answered,” said Manny. “Dante would ask me all types of questions - whether it was scholarships, people on teams or what not. I was more than happy to help.”
“We talked about everything from the team to the coaches to the environment of the school,” continued Manny. “After Dante came back from Lehigh, he really seemed to love it and would fit in right away. And as you can see, he really has.”
Fantoni and Manny both enjoyed sensational freshman campaigns, each leading his respective team in scoring. Manny led the Minutemen with 45 points while garnering CAA Rookie of the Year and a spot on the Inside Lacrosse All-Rookie Team. Fantoni paced the Mountain Hawks' attack with 40 points, highlighted by two straight overtime game-winners over No. 9 Villanova and No. 19 Lafayette to end the year.
Midway through their sophomore seasons, the best friends have high individual and team aspirations. It's no surprise that both have excelled, helping lead their teams to strong starts. They continue to support each other through the trials and tribulations of a college lacrosse season. They're there for each other, even in the toughest of times.
“You're going to lose games,” said Fantoni. “Sometimes, you have an off day. We're always there to pick each other up from the downs, but when we're up, we're always there praising each other too.”
The two talk anywhere between two and four times a week with conversations ranging from school to lacrosse to all the everyday things friends talk about.
“We just like to check up and ask how school's going,” said Manny. “We always talk about lacrosse, of course. The conversations we have can be in depth talking about lacrosse or can just be shooting the regular stuff. Being able to talk to him is just a relief sometimes.”
Though a few states apart, they continue to help each other on the field as well. Lehigh and UMass have a number of common opponents this season (Saint Joseph's, Ohio State, Army, Penn State), which helps them prepare. Ohio State is one example; Manny and the Minutemen defeated the Buckeyes, 11-9 on Feb. 26 before Fantoni and the Mountain Hawks traveled to Columbus on Mar. 9.
“I talked to Dante a lot over his spring break on the bus rides and in the hotel,” said Manny. “I was telling him their scouting reports and he watched the game film. So I was able to help him, talk about their defense and how they slid.”
“I can call him up and ask what he thought of the team and the matchup,” said Fantoni. “And he does the same thing for me. I'm glad to help him out; I want to see him and his team do well.”
One thing they have never done is face each other. Though not slated to play in the regular season, they would relish the opportunity to meet in the NCAA Tournament. With both teams in the thick of things - Lehigh in the Patriot League and UMass in the CAA - it certainly could happen as soon as this year.
“Playing Dante would be one of the greatest moments of my career,” said Manny. “I'd want to play him in the tournament - whether it's in the first round or in the national championship. If I knew I was playing Lehigh, throughout the week, I'd be telling my defense the scouting report on him, not wanting him to score any points and beat up on us.
“I'd tell my defensemen to beat up on my man for 60 minutes, but after the game, he's still my best friend,” Manny continued. “If he destroyed us with six points, or he had nothing, I'd still congratulate him. I'd know that he'd rip up any other team that he plays.”
Regardless of the outcome, one thing is for sure. It would be a strange feeling to play each other for the first time in their lives.
“We've been on the same team our whole life - same travel teams, same high school team,” said Fantoni. “It'd be weird to see him on the other side of the ball, but I would definitely love the challenge and would love to play him. That would be a big bragging rights game.
“I would really love to play him, especially in the NCAA Tournament,” continued Fantoni. “I think it would be a good game; UMass is a really good team. I really hope that we can in the future.”
In the end, win, lose or draw, the two are each other's biggest fans. They truly admire each other's game.
“Willy's a small, quick, crafty lefty attackman who is very unselfish and has probably some of the best vision I've ever seen,” said Fantoni. “He'll make passes that you're just like, 'wow'. I love that about him.”
“My favorite thing about Dante is on the offensive end, knowing how to get open and finish the ball,” said Manny. “I also love his ability to ride. He really is tenacious and just gets the ball back and gives back to the defensemen what they give us - all day every day, just checking us and beating the crap out of us.”
The two are essentially brothers, supporting each other when times are good, yet always wanting to have the upper hand.
“If I beat him by a point, he's happy for me, but he wants to get me next time,” said Fantoni. “I'll do the same thing too because last year, he beat me by five points. He's got a little edge on me now, but I'm trying to get him back this year.”
The competition stems to when they first played in high school. It's something that has stayed with them, even as they went their separate ways.
“The competition aspect is always fun,” said Manny. “You could see our competitiveness in basketball, soccer and really anything that we ever played. Whatever it boils down to, it's a competition between us. It's what coaches look for in Division I lacrosse players.”
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