New Arrivals Shine on Field for W. Lacrosse

If the future of the Harvard women’s lacrosse team lies with its freshman class, the Crimson may be in good hands.

Since taking over as head coach at the beginning of the 2004 season, Coach Sarah Nelson has sculpted a class of strong, speedy players that hope to help turn the tides after last year’s 6-9 campaign.

With a large freshmen class of eight girls hustling to break into the starting lineup, the team’s intensity has risen, and it is hopeful the numbers in the win column will continue to follow.

Although she began helping with the recruiting process as an assistant coach under former head coach Carole Kleinfelder, this is the first year that Nelson has compiled a team on her own. Both players and coach believe that this group is a special one, with enormous potential and great skill.

“We’ve melded really well and have a great team dynamic,” captain Catherine Sproul said. “Sarah picked people that fit in well. I couldn’t be happier.”

The players recognize the opportunity it is to play for a coach like Nelson. A World Cup player, she brings skill and experience playing the modern game to the sidelines.

“I think I can speak for all eight of us when I say that Sarah is a huge reason that we’re here,” freshman midfielder Ali Hines said. “We just couldn’t pass that up. She just blows us away—we learn so much from her every day.”

The feeling is reciprocated by Nelson, who can say nothing but good things about the Class of 2008.

“This is a terrific class, top to bottom,” Nelson said. “Most of them turned down other Ivies or highly-ranked schools. They could have gone anywhere in the country, but by coming here they showed that they are committed to building a program.”

Among a pack of talented freshmen, attacker Tara Schoen and midfielder Natalie Curtis have taken the lead in laying the groundwork for seasons to come. Both All-Americans in high school, the two have not only started in each of the team’s games but have wasted no time in making an impact. In the second game of the season, versus Quinnipiac, Schoen and Curtis each tallied a hat trick in the first half to lead Harvard to its second victory in as many games.

Schoen, who led Darien (Conn.) High to two state championships, can be seen weaving among defenders to unleash an exceptional shot. Once released, her shot often finds the back of the net—in 12 shots in the first three games of the season, Schoen has tallied five goals.

“Tara has one of the hardest shots I’ve ever seen,” said Nelson. “It’s a beautiful thing.”

Curtis, who first played with Schoen while in high school, heaped praise upon her aggressive teammate as well.

“Tara probably has the sickest shot I’ve ever seen,” said Curtis. “She is so strong that she can shoot from as far back as the guys. She has a knack for finding the goal like no one I’ve ever seen.”

Schoen’s passion for the game shows both in practice and games and helps to raise the level of her teammates’ play.

“Tara is also great to watch because she is absolutely in love with the game of lacrosse,” said Curtis. “It’s great to see as a teammate. She has such intensity that it’s contagious. It brings up everyone’s overall level of intensity and sets the tone.”

If Schoen gets credit for her shooting and intensity, Curtis receives acclaim for her quick feet and her ability to see the whole field—important skills for a midfielder, who must help out on both offense and defense.

“Natalie has the fastest feet I’ve ever seen,” said Hines. “She’s going to do incredible things—this is only the beginning.”

Nelson similarly lauded Curtis as a strong leader and player with unlimited potential.

“Natalie has amazing speed and excellent vision. She has incredible hustle from the first minute she steps on the field,” said Nelson. “She may not be the one with the flashiest stats, but she’ll be someone we’ll depend on as this program moves forward.”

That depends on one’s definition of “flashy.” Curtis has already picked up five goals and two assists, a testament to her speed in the midfield. She has also committed four fouls—credit to her aggressiveness.

While Curtis and Schoen have boosted the team’s scoring and intensity, the rest of the class cannot be forgotten.

Sproul has praised the recruiting class as one of the strongest in recent memory, and both coach and players recognize the freshman class’ potential to take the program to new heights.

“I feel that this whole class is filled with kids who play at the All-Ivy level,” said Nelson. “I wouldn’t be surprised if one of them was the first All-American for Harvard in over a decade. That’s the level they’re capable of.”

The ability of the freshmen class has not gone unnoticed by the older players, who find themselves being pushed to a new level by frosh who play with maturity beyond their years.

“This class has very strong leadership potential,” Sproul said. “They are the foundation of a new program that’s just taking off. It’s exciting to see such a talented class—they have such great knowledge and athleticism.”

Some would flounder under the burden of high expectations, but the team’s freshmen show no signs of backing down.

“This team has unbelievable potential,” said Hines. “We know that once it all clicks, we’ll be unstoppable. Sarah has so much confidence in us and we just can’t wait to see what we will achieve over the next four years.”

The Crimson is just opening a new chapter in its history, and its freshmen are waiting to write their own story on its pages. An Ivy League title, a top-20 ranking—these players see nothing out of reach.

“All of these girls have brought a great intensity to the team and an expectation of winning,” said Nelson. “With such a deep class, they can compete with the toughest teams in the league and the best in the country. These are all terrific kids, with great talent and character. They’re all going to have phenomenal careers.”