Harrison Dominates Blind Brook

HARRISON - Ever since Coach Wendy Swenson took over the Harrison High School lacrosse program, it was apparent that the team would go from good to great. Swenson's ideology has now been cemented with this team as she has some of the best players in the school's history.

With the senior leadership of players like Nicole Nannariello, Melissa Shulman, and Samantha Stump along with Swenson's guidance, the sky really is the limit for this Huskies team.

On Friday evening Harrison squared off against the Blind Brook Trojans in a rematch of a game that occurred earlier in the season. The first game that these teams squared off in was pure and utter domination by the Huskies. The rematch would be even worse.

Harrison easily won the first contest 14-2. This game was a different chapter in the same story. The Huskies got out to a quick lead and never looked back. In the first half the team used combinations of players who may not have seen much action on the field together in previous games, and even that proved to be too much for the Trojans to handle.

"Harrison is great competition, we were too timid and we need to learn to be more aggressive," said Blind Brook coach Steve Forzhelir. "We need to get confidence and learn to move the ball better."

In the first half eight different Huskies scored and most of the goals came with relative ease. Sophomore Alex Misisco led the Husky attack early and often. She scored two of the team's first four goals and ended the first half with a hat trick. Misisco wasn't the only Husky to tickle the nylon as captain Melissa Shulman played unselfishly and still scored three goals of her own.

As great as the Huskies were offensively, they were even better on defense. Goalie Samantha Stump put forth a dominant performance between the pipes. With the exception of one mistake Stump was a stone wall, not allowing anything through.

"Samantha has had a great season for us this year," said Swenson. "She is a very vocal leader for us on the field. She has saved a lot of games for us this year and she played big for us today."

Shulman, Misisco and junior Laura Doherty added three goals each to their season totals and Madeline Susa picked up another two en route to the Harrison victory.

"When it comes to controlling the ball, Alex Misisco did a lot for us. She had three goals but she created a lot for others too," said Swenson. "Shulman is always a force to be reckoned with but she stepped back and allowed others to really shine today."

Harrison's next game is a rivalry grudge match to be played at Feeley Field on Monday against Byram Hills. Harrison lost the earlier matchup by one goal.