Sharks girls lacrosse already breaks record
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Buffalo. Harb finished with her first career hat trick. Sacred Heart is 2-1. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Sacred Heart has only played three girls lacrosse games this season but the Sharks have already made school history.

The Sharks won their second game of the season over Buffalo Seminary, 10-6, on Thursday, May 3, to improve to 2-1. Sacred Heart has never won two games in the four-year history of the program.

"It's been a fun season, and it's great to see it come full circle from where it started," said first-year coach Emily Canty, who played on the Sharks inaugural team in 2004. "They have a lot of heart and know where to put the ball on the field."

Emily's younger sister, Mary, a center, led the Sharks offense against Buffalo Seminary with four goals. She has 14 goals this season. Jenny Harb scored her first hat trick, with two goals coming off consecutive draws. Defenders Rebecca Vu, Courtney Wopperer and Sam Arena each added a goal. Arena led the team in ground balls.

Coach Canty lauded attack winger Emma Frieh for her intensity and transition game.

Goalie Anna Monaghan made seven saves.

Sacred Heart opened the week losing to Nardin, 11-10, on Monday, April 30. Coach Canty said her team trailed by at least six goals at halftime before coming back.

"Nardin was a little more aggressive in the beginning but we weren't playing strong," she added.

Mary Canty scored four times, Harb and Liz Briody scored twice each, and Frieh and Monique Mattes had single tallies. Monaghan made nine saves.

Sacred Heart plays three games in a row this week. On Wednesday, May 9, they play Nardin at Nichols and are at their home field, the Kadimah School of Buffalo against Mount Mercy on Thursday, May 10 and versus the defending MMA champion, Mount St. Mary's, on Friday, May 11. All three games have 4:30 p.m. starts.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com