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Magnificent Seven: Lady Eagles lacrosse players have college coaches taking notice
BY Kevin Hageland, khageland@starlocalnews.com
While lacrosse is frequently referred to as the fastest growing sport in the country, followers don't frequently refer to Texas as one of its hotbeds.
A group of Allen girls is trying to change that.
In addition to their exploits with the Lady Eagles, the contingent of seniors Meghan Ayers, Kate Davis, Amber Hunt, Ashley Ishmael and Paige Morrison as well as juniors Olivia Brohlin and Abby McCann have played in three states outside Texas since the summer started in an effort to hone their skills and expand their profiles.
Kate and Ishmael got the multi-state ball rolling over Memorial Day weekend by representing Texas at a national event in Long Island. Team Texas placed second.
"It was pretty awesome," Kate said. "There were a lot of different teams there, so it was a good experience and it helped my game a lot to play teams from other states and see different strategies. Plus there is prestige involved because the East coast is where the game originated and that's where most people think the more advanced players are."
Kate and Ishmael were joined by Allen teammates Ayers, Brohlin, Hunt, McCann and Morrison as the summer progressed, playing in Pennsylvania and Maryland on back-to-back weekends as part of club team Texas XL.
Once again, the results were favorable.
"I overheard some people saying, 'Oh, it's Texas, we can beat them,'" Hunt said. "We knew it was going to be tough since we don't have as much experience, but we were able to surprise some of the more established teams and showed everyone that we have good players in Texas."
In Pennsylvania, Texas XL finished second after losing to a squad from North Carolina in the finals. There was no tournament format in Maryland, but the Lady Eagles still represented well as their club team went 3-0-1.
"Those tournaments were a good opportunity to play tough teams and also get ourselves out there to college coaches," Kate said. "We want to show everyone that Texas is catching up and getting to where other states are with lacrosse."
The message has apparently been received.
Each of the aforementioned seven girls has had at least one college contact them about playing at the next level with more than two dozen offers between the group.
"I'm not sure all the girls want to play in college," said Kate, who is considering Notre Dame College of Ohio, Randolph-Macon College and Lake Erie College, "but if we do, then everyone will definitely get that opportunity and that makes me so proud of every single one of us."
Hunt has been in contact with Randolph-Macon as well.
"It's kind of weird having all these coaches contact you and show interest because I didn't really think I would get the opportunity to play in college," she said. "But all the experience we have gotten playing in other states has really helped get us noticed."
Before getting to the next level, Ayers, Brohlin, Hunt, Ishmael, Kate, McCann and Morrison have a goal to achieve once varsity practice commences in mid-September.
"We are really pushing for state this year," Kate said. "And I think that's a pretty realistic goal."
A statement Hunt was quick to agree with.
"I always say go big or go home," she said. "We've been to state before and I think we can go back again, especially if we bring the experience we have gained back to the team and we all elevate our level of play."
Allen hosts lacrosse camp
The Lady Eagles Lacrosse Camp is set for Aug. 13-17 at Celebration Park.
The camp, for players in grades 2-12, started in 2008 and is open to all, but primarily focuses on Frisco, McKinney, Allen and Plano players. The camp usually features top-end coaches and this year is no different as Hockaday's Tea Acuff, Long Island's Shannon Parenkuan and TXL Lacrosse's Amanda Walker will lead the event.
Players in grades 2-6 will attend camp from 8-9:30 a.m. each day, players in grades 7-8 will be there from 10-11:30 a.m. and players in grades 9-12 will participate from 6-8 p.m. The first two sessions are $135 per player and the third one is $155.
To register for the camp, contact Chris Ishmael at: cishmae@gmail.com or send payment to: ALELBC, Inc., C/O Chris Ishmael, 10 Carter Ct., Allen, Tx. 75002.
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