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05/26/2016 12:00 AMSam Kwieraga has been unable to stick with just one position during her four years with the North Haven girls’ lacrosse team. This isn’t because Sam has trouble at any spot. It’s because she’s shown the ability to play virtually every position and so she takes on the role the Indians need her to.
“It’s a very good feeling knowing that if any one of my teammates gets injured, we have other people to replace me and I can step in for them,” says Sam, a senior. “I like being able to play everywhere and it’s made me a very versatile player for college next year. I’ll play anywhere. I’ll do it. That can get me more playing time than if say I only play attack or only play defense.”
Sam has played on the attack, in the midfield, and on defense throughout her time on the North Haven turf. As a result, she’s proven an invaluable asset to Head Coach Lois Frankforter.
“She’s been a key player all four years. As a sophomore, I relied on her when she was playing defense. She was always one I went to if I needed somebody guarded closely,” says Frankforter. “What’s really good about Sam is that she’s an aggressive player that doesn’t get a lot of fouls. She’s technically really good on defense and, this year, has transitioned to the offensive wing. She can play anywhere because she’s fast, can chase anybody down, and can carry and move the ball well.”
Sam believes that her all-around lacrosse game has improved from playing the defensive wing because that position sees some time in the offensive zone. Since moving to the offensive wing this season, Sam has scored 20 goals and dished out nine assists for a team that’s 12-3 and surging toward the State Tournament.
“Definitely, being on the defensive wing first made it an easy transition. It’s nice to have that easy flow rather than being thrown right into offense,” says Sam. “My biggest strength is my agility. I am able to score, but I feel like I’m a stronger midfield player where I can make transition plays across the field. I have speed on my side, so that helps me in games.”
Sam has already signed on to continue her lacrosse career next year at Division III Springfield College in Massachusetts. She’s put in a lot of work on her own to get noticed by colleges and feels thankful that she’s going to Springfield.
“Over the summer, I had made a berecruited.com profile and I’d post videos of films from my high school games. I also play on the summer team, 203 Lacrosse, and we play tournaments in Vermont and Massachusetts, so I posted film from that, too. When in Massachusetts, the Springfield coach was there, saw me, and we talked, so I gave her my [berecruited.com profile link] and we’ve been talking ever since,” says Sam. “I applied to a few other schools where I would play, but Springfield is the best school for my major because they have a six-year physical therapy direct entry to their doctorate program.”
Sam hopes to perform well and get on the field quickly in college, but she also really wants to establish friendships with her new teammates.
“I take the sport seriously,” says Sam. “Going into college and playing on a team, I want to be able to make friends and connect with other people who enjoy playing the sport.”
However, Sam does have a few other things that she first wants to take care of at North Haven. After struggling in their first few years as a varsity program, the Indians have posted back-to-back quality seasons, resulting in the team’s first playoff berth last spring and another in the current campaign.
“It’s a really great feeling, especially considering that my freshman year, we were a losing team,” says Sam. “It’s nice to see how the program has built over time and how much better we are now than we were before.”