Holy Cross grad excels in Lock Haven lacrosse

Katie McConnell, a sophomore lacrosse defender for Lock Haven and a Holy Cross graduate, finished her classes on May 1 but has remained at school.

And McConnell isn't complaining.

Her stay has been extended because Lock Haven has won a berth in the Division II Final Four. The Eagles, ranked third nationally by the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association, will play fourth-ranked Limestone College in tomorrow's 11 a.m. semifinal in Salem, Va.

The championship game takes place there at noon Sunday.

McConnell has been a major part of the effort. Despite being just a sophomore, she is a captain and has started every game for the 17-3 Eagles, the champions of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

"We've been finished with school for a while and have been chillin' up here," she said in a telephone interview. "It's been a lot of fun."

That is the way to describe her entire lacrosse experience at Lock Haven. For McConnell, this is a sport in which she began late and has made up for lost time. The Cinnaminson resident didn't begin playing until her freshman year at Holy Cross.

"I loved playing at Holy Cross and had a lot of fun," said McConnell, who started all 19 games last year as a freshman. Joey Hanners "was an awesome coach."

McConnell also has enjoyed her time at Lock Haven, and was surprised to be picked as a captain by her teammates. Coach Kristen Selvage said McConnell shouldn't be surprised because she has such great leadership skills.

"She has pretty much a little bit of everything - humility, a drive I have never seen in such a young player before - and I think that was obvious as a freshman," Selvage said.

"She was already stepping up as one of our top leaders," Selvage said. "As coaches, we felt it was obvious" that she be a captain, "and her teammates felt the same way."

McConnell has scored one goal and added one assist, but preventing scores is her main job.

"She isn't a risk taker but communicates and makes sure everybody is on the same page," Selvage said. "She doesn't let many girls take her one-on-one and score on her, and consistency is the name of the game."

McConnell, who also has 27 ground balls and five caused turnovers, feels the Eagles have unfinished business against Limestone. On March 6, Lock Haven lost to the host Saints, 11-10, in Gaffney, S.C.

"We lost to them in the regular season, so we're familiar with each other," McConnell said. "I think we have a special group that is really talented, and we have a lot of confidence entering this game."

Lock Haven won the Final Four berth with Saturday's 17-11 home playoff win over fifth-ranked Mercyhurst.

The Eagles are seeking the school's second national title in lacrosse. In 1979, Lock Haven won the United States Women's Lacrosse Association's Division II championship.

McConnell said the win over Mercyhurst was something she would always remember.

"It was wild and crazy, and we had a good crowd," she said. "That was quite an experience."

The same could be said of her brief but productive time at Lock Haven.