Former Shark player returns to coach alma mater
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

If there's one person who knows about Sacred Heart girls lacrosse, it's Emily Canty.

Canty was one of several girls who lobbied for girls lacrosse at Sacred Heart when she was a student. By the time the school got a varsity team in 2004, she was a senior but was still able to leave her mark, earning team MVP honors at third home. Since she graduated, she's been able to watch the team's progress through her younger sister, Margaret, who played with Emily when she was a freshman but is unable to play her senior year because of an injury. In fact, Emily is coaching her younger sister, Mary, one of seven freshmen on the team.

Coach Canty has yet to name starters but has picked captains. They are attack wingers, senior Jennifer Harb and junior Monique Mattes and senior goalie Anna Monaghan.

Coach Canty said Harb and Mattes have played for Sacred Heart the past two years and are fast. Mattes helps younger and inexperienced players with proper technique, Canty added. Monaghan, a first-year goalie, is fearless in the net.

The rest of the team is comprised of senior defenders Rebecca Vu and Courtney Wopperer, juniors Sam Arena (defense), Elizabeth Briody (center), Elizabeth Pusateri (offense), and Natalie Wasilewski (offense), sophomores Talya Calabro (home), Alex Femia (defense wing), Susan O'Rourke (defense) and freshmen Jennifer Cannon (goalie), Mary Canty (center), Emma Frieh (attack wing), Emily Gillig (defense), Emily Kraft (offense), Kelsey McArthur (defense),

and Chelsea Nowak (home on attack).

Arena, Briody, Calabro, O'Rourke, Pusateri, Vu, Wopperer and Wasilewski are returning players.

Coach Canty thinks it's the strongest lacrosse team that has come through Sacred Heart.

"We have a lot of younger girls with experience from middle schools combining with a lot of experienced older girls who have played a couple of years," she said.

Coach Canty said team strengths are speed, stick skills and a ton of heart.

"That's the most important," said coach Canty. "When they come to practice they want to play lacrosse and do a good job. They love the sport and are a close knit team."
Sacred Heart 2007 Schedule
4-19 at Buffalo Seminary 4:30 p.m.
4-26 Mt. St. Mary's....... 4:30 p.m.
4-30 Nardin ................... 4:30 p.m.
5-3 Buffalo Seminary .. 4:30 p.m.
5-9 at Nardin ................ 4:30 p.m.
5-11 Mt. Mercy .............. 4:30 p.m
5-17 at Mt. Mercy ........ 4:30 p.m.
(Cazenovia Park)
  *All   home   games   are   at   the
Kadimah School in Eggertsville.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com