Boyhood friends meet when Lax takes on'Nova

Andy Crofton and Kevin Crowley have been friends since first grade. In high school, they led Long Island's Garden City High School men's lacrosse team to the state semifinals. Four years later, Crofton is Penn's leading scorer and Crowley is Villanova's captain. The childhood buddies, both attackers, lead their respective squads into battle as the Quakers (4-8) host the Wildcats (6-8) Sunday afternoon at Franklin Field at 1. The junior Crofton still has a year left to lead the Quakers to a revival next season. For Crowley, a senior, this is it -- the last collegiate game of his life. "I saw him over Easter break and we talked about this game," Crofton said. "It's the last game of his career. He's a real good player. He's quick, a good shooter, and over there he is a real team leader." Crofton, however, is not letting friendship get in the way of his job. He already told the Penn defense the best way to stop Crowley --Epressure defense -- and the Quakers' star realizes Penn needs a win just as much as Crowley wants to end his career on a high note. "It's just like any other game," Crofton said. "At the end, I don't really care what happens to him. As long as we beat them, I'll be happy" "I hope he plays well," Crofton added belatedly. Likewise, Crowley is planning to spill the beans on how to stop Crofton. Last year, the Wildcats did not have much success -- Crofton scored four goals in leading the Quakers to a 14-8 victory. "I'm definitely going to tell our coaches his strengths," Crowley said. "I'd like to see him do well, but I'd also like to shut him down. He's one of the best in the country right now." Crowley saw limited action in that contest and was injured for the Penn game his sophomore year. This will be his first real opportunity to go head-to-head against his childhood buddy. "I'm looking forward to it," Crowley said. "It's more fun to play against someone you know." And Crowley knows all about Crofton's talents. He was at Crofton's side while the future Quaker racked up over 100 points for Garden City. "His stick work is great," Crowley said. "He can go left or right. He's a very intelligent lacrosse player. He sees the field well. He scores, gets assists and protects the stick well." "He may not be the biggest player," Crowley continued. "He may not be the strongest player. He may not be the fastest player. But he's by far [Penn's] best player. Next year, Penn definitely has a potential all-American." Crowley and the rest of the Wildcats seniors view Penn as such a rival that they had Villanova reschedule the Quakers for their final game. The rivalry is mostly one-way, as the Wildcats routinely lose to the Quakers. "I think its a very big game," Crofton said. "It's Villanova's biggest game. If they beat us, they had a good year. We have to be ready and I think we will be. "We had a week to prepare. We've been working on our game. If we play our game, we don't have to worry what they can do. We should be too much for them." Crofton hopes. After all, not only are Philadelphia bragging rights on the line, but Long Island's as well.