By Darryl Grumling
PhillyLacrosse.com

Former Downingtown East defenseman Josh Becker will transfer to NCAA Division III Whittier College.

In high school, Becker helped the Cougars go 10-0 in the Ches-Mont League and 19-4 overall last year. Downingtown East won its third straight league title and reached the District I final before falling 7-4 to Conestoga.

Becker is currently attending Penn State-Altoona, which does not have a lacrosse team, and will transfer after the semester. He also considered Cabrini.

“It’s a really nice campus,” he said. “What’s not to like about having palm trees on the campus? And even though it's a small school, I thought it was a lot more interesting than larger schools. I’m really excited about it.”

What also appealed to Becker was the chance to play for his stepbrother, head coach Brian Kelly. Under Kelly -- a Downingtown grad who played at Whittier -- the Poets went 6-7 overall playing an independent schedule last season and are 1-0 in 2010. Freshman goalkeeper Jon Cairone (Abington) is currently on the Whittier roster as well.

“It’s a chance to get away and have some good opportunities,” Becker said. “It really seems like an up-and-coming program.”

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