June 6, 2005

VILLANOVA, Pa. - Seniors Chris Kramer (Massapequa Park, N.Y.) and Jon Urbana (Denver, Colo.) have each been chosen for the 64th Annual North/South Classic, the school learned. The annual game features the top seniors from around the country, with Kramer and Urbana both slated to play for the South team. The game will be played on June 11 on campus at the State University of New York at Cortland.

Urbana, a defender, once again anchored a Villanova defense that ranked among the nation's best in shutting down the opposition. The Wildcats allowed just 7.13 goals per game for the season, a figure that ranked fourth in the country. Villanova surrendered fewer than 10 goals in all but two of its games. Urbana was a key part of that defense, as each game he drew the assignment of stopping the opposing team's top offensive player. Urbana finished the season third on the team with 49 ground balls, and scored his lone goal of the season in a 15-9 CAA victory over Sacred Heart. He ended his standout four-year career as the only Villanova player to be a two-time All-American, as he earned honorable mention status in both 2004 and 2005. Urbana was also a three-time CAA all-conference player, earning first team status in each of the last two seasons.

Kramer, a defensive midfielder, was recognized as one of the top players in the country at his position in an in-season feature story by Faceoff Magazine. Kramer picked up a team-best 72 ground balls, and ranked 18th in the nation with 4.87 ground balls per game. Specializing in the transition game, he also moved into an offensive role, scoring eight goals while giving out four assists. He scored on a team-best 40 percent of his shots. Kramer was chosen for the All-CAA second team for his play this season.

Urbana and Kramer will become the 13th and 14th Villanova players to appear in the North/South Classic. It also marks the fourth straight year and fifth time in the last six seasons that at least one Wildcat was selected to play in the game. In 2004, Richie Kratz and Matt Lucas each were chosen for the South team. The first Villanova player chosen for the game was Brian Kash in 1993.

A total of 10 players from the Colonial Athletic Association were chosen for the game, including eight players on the South roster. Delaware, Drexel, Hofstra, Towson and Villanova all had two players chosen to play in the annual classic. The South team is being coached by Dom Starsia (University of Virginia) and Brian Volker (University of Pennsylvania).

The North/South Classic is sponsored by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA), and the teams are chosen by a committee of head coaches who are members of the organization.