FORT WASHINGTON, PA- If the saying holds true that you are only as strong as the foundation you are built on, then for the Germantown Academy’s Girls’ lacrosse team that foundation is getting stronger year by year and literally brick by brick.
What makes this team a looker is the fact that this varsity squad is one of the youngest in the Inter-Ac League.
With 7 freshmen on the team and 5 at times 6 of those starting each game; there is a lot to be said about playing to your potential.
“They are a positive group, said Germantown Academy head coach Brooke Watson. “We’ve only beaten Baldwin in the league right now but this group remains positive. They work hard and what you see is what they are capable of doing and bringing to any team in the Inter-Ac league.”
The Inter-ac league is one of the most competitive leagues in the state of Pennsylvania but that doesn’t seem to intimidate these Patriots.
“We graduated 6 seniors last year and that’s a tough transition. When you are playing against our league and our league is really strong, it’s tough.”
GA's freshman goalie Zoe Torrey one of 22 saves against Academy of Notre Dame
One of youngest members of the squad is freshman goalie Zoe Torrey.
Torrey came up from GA’s lower school and replaced goalie Allie Carrigan who graduated last year and is now playing at Yale.
“I’m watching her (Torrey) and she is mimicking what she is seeing in my field from my goalie. She is a lefty and I though ok… She just gets better and better each game,” said Watson.
“It’s crazy that I am playing on varsity. I’m so excited to improve that I can feel myself improving each game which is awesome,” said Torrey.
According to Torrey it’s all about focusing on the ball and getting into a mental zone while on the field.
That mental zone so far has worked out quite well. Torrey managed 22 saves this past week in a league match against Academy of Notre Dame.
“I really try to concentrate on the ball and getting where the ball is and nothing else,” said Torrey.
Watson, who has been at the helm of this squad for the past 2 years and served as assistant coach for 13 years, is no stranger when it comes to competitive play.
“Our girls are very enthusiastic; they all play for clubs which is really good for the program. But it’s that growing into our high school program that we are fighting with each day and they are getting better at it each day.”
According to Watson, it’s getting her young team to see the picture of the whole defense that needs work.
“Our veteran players are a big help in that regard. They are really supportive of them.”
Those veteran players consist of two sophomores, eight juniors and only one senior.
That senior is captain and lead scorer Betsy Prezioso. Prezioso a Harvard commit, has been a member of the varsity team for 4 years.
Prezioso, you can safely say, is the heart and soul of this team. A role she takes on with pride.
“I think my role and responsibility as a senior is to lead and mentor each girl in a way that allows them to feel comfortable as a member of our team as well as bring out the best in them so that they may reach their full potential,” said Prezioso.
Senior Captain Betsy Prezioso pictured in the center of her team about to call the cheer
GA senior attacker Betsy Prezioso against Springside Chestnut Hill Academy
“I try to lead by example and teach to always work hard and believe in one another. It is also important that each girl realizes that their contributions no matter how big or small have a positive impact on our team as a unit.”
That example she is setting is literally quite solid.
Prezioso thought of using a brick as a symbol to unify her team; an idea she said she got after coming home from a college visit.
“I thought we could use the brick as a motivational tool to remind us how to work hard, strive to get better, and contribute to the overall benefit of our group,” said Prezioso.
That brick, now garnered with the Germantown Academy seal, forms the building blocks for her team.
“The designation of one girl receiving the brick after each game and leading the team out to the next game with the brick in hand serves as a reminder and symbol of what goes into creating a team, and building a strong foundation for the future,” said Prezioso.
Freshman goalie Zoe Torrey explains the symbol of the brick after receiving it from her teammates after the game against ND
Even though her team is just developing, Prezioso has faith in their abilities.
“I believe if they continue to work together on the important fundamentals of the game, success and winning seasons will follow.”
And going forward Prezioso gives her team these sound words of advice:
“I would tell the girls to keep believing in themselves, develop your stick skills in the off-season, train hard, and keep working together as a team all year, even if it is one or two days a week. Keep the bond strong, have fun, and look to the brick to remind you of what you are building!
So, what does coach Watson believe is in this Patriot team’s future?
An Inter-Ac Championship of course…
“By the time these girls are seniors, they know our style right from the get, so that is going to come to them easy every year and they fight out there. Winning the Inter-Ac when they are seniors would be awesome!”
The 2015-2016 Germantown Academy Lacrosse Team
Head Coach: Brooke Watson
Assistant Coaches: Kelli Romano, Frank Nicholas, Alan Chagan
Captains: Betsy Prezioso '16, Isabelle Jacobs '17, Alison Crump '17
