St. Anthony’s O’Neill is primed to be next lacrosse star at Duke
SOUTH HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (BVM) — Brennan O’Neill has been a sensation in the lacrosse world since his freshman year at St. Anthony’s High School. The recent graduate is expecting big things in his next chapter.
O’Neill burst onto the scene early, scoring 99 points in the eighth grade while playing on the varsity team at Bay Shore High School. With hopes of playing at St. Anthony’s High School growing up, O’Neill’s wish came true when he made the move to the program for his freshman year.
His ability on the field has made him into a special talent. As a teenager, the Friars’ attackman was head-and-shoulders above the competition with his unique combination of strength, size and playmaking ability. With that potential, O’Neill has had to deal with the spotlight on him.
St. Anthony’s coach Keith Wieczorek, talked about some of the challenges that have come with that attention with US Lacrosse Magazine.
“Unfortunately for him, he’s been receiving so much recognition and hype since he was in seventh or eighth grade, I think he enters every game with all eyes on him, both in the stands and on the field,” Wieczorek said. “I think it’s a burden he carries very easily, because he doesn’t let it get to him. It’s also difficult because every time he goes to the cage and he gets a shot off, or he slips, or he loses the ball, the place erupts. And I’m thinking, ‘This poor kid, every time he touches the ball, everyone expects him to do something spectacular.’ Yet it doesn’t faze him. He stays grounded, he stays unselfish.”
Recruiting offers came early for O’Neill who had offers from the top Division I programs in the country. After committing to Penn State at the age of 13, O’Neill decided to switch his commitment to Duke last November. He believes that it will be a better fit for him after the work the university has done with past players at his position.
O’Neill described his reason for the commitment switch with Inside Lacrosse.
“More than anything, my preferences and what I was looking for in a school changed,” O’Neill said. “Things I wouldn’t have looked at when I was younger become more important as I got older and more mature. I strongly considered the advantages the school provides after college and how prestigious they all were academically.”
In 2019, the Friars led their conference going 15-1 before running through the competition late in the season. With the help of O’Neill and his fellow teammates, the Friars would go on to win the Long Island Championship, the Intersectional Championship and the state CHSAA Class AAA championship.
With the cancelation of his senior lacrosse season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, O’Neill will look to get back on the field next spring for the Blue Devils.
Joining him at Duke will be two of O’Neill’s teammates, Jake Naso and Aidan Danenza. The trio are all part of the 2020 class and will play meaningful roles on the Blue Devils’ squad.
