On Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2011, Hatboro-Horsham seniors Nicole Beck, Lizzy Carr, Cortnee Daley, Caroline Hagan and Julie McKay were recognized at a special news conference for signing letters of intent to play lacrosse at the collegiate level.
“They all came up together, they’re all really close,” coach Duncan Swezey said. “They all work together, and they do everything together. They all went through the recruiting process together. Anyone who has been through the process – it’s a great feeling to be recruited, but I don’t think a lot of people realize how much pressure is really put on these kids. At 17 years old, they’re making one of the most important decisions of their whole lives.”
Nicole Beck – University of California at Berkeley (Lacrosse)
Major: Pre-med
Final list of colleges: Cal, Princeton, Yale
Reasons for choosing Cal: “Cal was more in my realm academically, and also, the athletics are awesome. I love the girls, and I just love the area. I’ve always wanted to live in a different culture for my four years of college, so everything all together – the weather was a key factor.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate lacrosse? “I started playing club lacrosse in middle school, and I knew since then I definitely wanted to play in college.
“The recruiting process started when we got to high school, and since we started the process so early, it was definitely long and definitely hard, but it was worth it. I don’t have any regrets.”
Coach Duncan Swezey says: “Nicole’s probably got some of the better stick skills on the team. I tease her – if she can touch it, she can catch it. She’s got a good sense of the game – they all do. She’s also one of our Academic All-Americans.”
About Nicole:
Favorite food: Crab legs
Favorite movie: Duplex
Favorite music: Britney Spears
Lizzy Carr – Drexel University (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Drexel, Duquesne, Monmouth
Reasons for choosing Drexel: “Mainly, their co-op program, and I love how it’s so close to home.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate lacrosse: “I felt like I have always wanted to play a sport in college to keep me busy. I have always played lacrosse – all my brothers and sisters played it. I love it. It’s in my blood.”
Coach Duncan Swezey says: “People have told me she might actually be the most athletic. Lizzy might have been more of a surprise, a very welcome surprise. I coached her brothers previously, so I knew she spent a lot of time practicing and would have stick skills. Again, she’s just an all-around player and can play anywhere on the field.”
About Lizzy:
Favorite food: Spaghetti
Favorite movie: Remember the Titans
Favorite music: Dave Matthews & Train
Cortnee Daley – University of Louisville (Lacrosse)
Major: Undecided
Final list of colleges: Louisville, James Madison, Florida
Reasons for choosing Louisville: “The athletics there are insane at Louisville – there’s a billboard of their lacrosse team on the highway, and I love the coach. I loved it right away.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate lacrosse? “I started thinking about playing lacrosse in college when I came to high school and started playing (club) lacrosse for the Phantastix. The club level is where you need to be if you want to play in college. They help set you up, but you need to constantly be e-mailing coaches just so they can see your name.
“It was a long and stressful process. What seniors are doing now, we were doing our junior year. We would be at games, and there would be 50 coaches lined up, and if you dropped the ball, you didn’t think you were going to play in college. It was the worst feeling, but it was definitely worth it.
“Visiting all the colleges, it was so incredible to see what women’s lacrosse has come up to and what opportunities we have now. It was hard, but it was definitely worth it.”
Coach Duncan Swezey says: “She’s just so athletic. Even last year at the beginning of the year, the first time you saw her on the field at the first practices, you knew she stood out. She can run for days and just physically, she’s put together solid.”
About Courtnee:
Favorite food: Spaghetti
Favorite movie: Dumb and Dumber
Favorite music: Taylor Swift & Jack Johnson
Caroline Hagan – St. Joseph’s University (Lacrosse)
Major: Pre-med or Accounting
Final list of colleges: St. Joe’s, Bucknell, Delaware
Reasons for choosing St. Joe’s: “I love the program and the academics. I like that it’s not too far, and the campus is beautiful. Also, my mom went there and all of her brothers – it’s been in the family for a while, so that was definitely a big factor.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate lacrosse? “I started playing lacrosse when I was young, but I didn’t really think anything of it because you’re playing a million sports. In middle school, I started narrowing it down and started playing club lacrosse in the summer, but I still played a lot of sports. In high school is when I really figured it out. I was only playing lacrosse and field hockey at that point, and field hockey was a sport to stay in shape for lacrosse.
“Around the summer after ninth grade, I realized a lot of the girls playing club lacrosse are going to college for it, and I loved the game. That’s all there is to it. That’s when I knew I wanted to do it, but there was so much pressure. Going to all the tournaments and knowing I have to bring my ‘A’ game and all the e-mailing – it’s so stressful, and it’s a very long process, but it’s worth it.”
Coach Duncan Swezey says: “Coming in and looking at her credentials on paper, she was all-league on defense her freshman year, and you knew she had the ability to play the game. She’s a very smart player and a very good communicator. She was our core defensive player who led the younger girls last year. She was named a first team all-league defensive player and an Academic All-American. Caroline was ranked 16th in ESPNHS preseason top 25 defensive players.”
About Caroline:
Favorite food: Creamed chipped beef
Movie: Clueless
Favorite music: Taylor Swift & Jack Johnson
Julie McKay – American University (Lacrosse)
Major: International Business or Political Science
Final list of colleges: American, Bucknell
Reasons for choosing American: “I love Washington, D.C. I love being in the city and the atmosphere down there. The coaches were awesome, and I just really liked it when I was there.”
What was the progression that led you to playing collegiate lacrosse? “I’ve always wanted to play a sport in college because I’ve been playing sports my whole life. It would have felt weird not to – I don’t think I could ever do it.
“It was tough staying on top of it and keeping up with all the e-mails. Making my final decision was tough. It was a long process because we started really early. It was difficult, but I’m really glad I did it.”
Coach Duncan Swezey says: “Julie plays all over the field. She’s really fast. Again, she has been playing the game so many years and plays the game at a higher speed. It is what differentiates players like her from even above average players. She’s also an Academic All-American.”
About Julie:
Favorite food: Mashed potatoes
Favorite movie: Mr. Deeds or Pirates of the Caribbean
Favorite music: Beyonce
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