This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
09/10/2020 12:00 AMShea Saracino played a big part in helping North Haven’s girls’ lacrosse players get the senior sendoff that they deserved this year. After the high school season was canceled due to COVID-19, Shea and her teammates had a great time competing in the newly formed Dream League.
Shea’s relationship with Christian Vick of the James Vick Foundation helped get the Dream League off the ground this summer. In fact, Shea earned the Dream League’s Spirit Leadership Award after working hard to help with the league’s fundraising efforts. Shea played midfielder for the North Haven Warriors, and plans to do the same thing with the high school field hockey team as a junior this fall.
Getting the opportunity to play lacrosse after all hope of any type of season seemed lost was a big deal to Shea. It took plenty of commitment from Shea, the James Vick Foundation, and Head Coach Bernie Pellegrino—and it resulted in a successful campaign.
“We did it for the girls to get a season we didn’t think we would have had,” says Shea. “I’ve been very close with Christian Vick. I did a clinic at the University of Bridgeport with him. When COVID came, and they said the season was canceled, he wanted to give us something. He wanted to give us one last ride. I was all-in, and Coach Bernie was all-in. It was free to all the girls who took part. It took a lot of fundraising, of course.”
Shea’s all-in attitude for the Dream League resulted in her winning the league’s Spirit Leadership Award. Shea says receiving that distinction was a big honor and that it felt nice to be recognized for her relentless energy.
“It was really cool. I’ve always been really high energy and positive. That’s just my attitude toward everything,” Shea says. “I was focused on creating chemistry with the team and giving the seniors one last ride and in a new atmosphere. It was really fun and cool. I was happy and excited for all the teams getting into the Dream League.”
Shea plays the midfielder’s position for North Haven in both field hockey and lacrosse. Patrolling the midfield essentially requires nonstop running, and that’s the perfect scenario for Shea.
“I’m always a midfielder, because I like running. I’ve always been good in the midfield because of that,” Shea says. “Personally, I like transitioning the ball up the field the most. I’m a two-way transition player. When I have the ball, I look for the crease player and the wings first, then I look for any opportunity in front of me. If there is an opening, I’ll go, but I’m mostly looking for the cutters.”
Shea has a longer history in lacrosse than field hockey, but she’s grown to love both sports. Shea got her start in lacrosse partly because of her older brother TJ’s interest in the sport. Shea’s experience in playing lacrosse was what ultimately led her to field hockey.
“I’ve been playing lacrosse since 2nd grade. I got into it because my brother played. At a game, my brother’s coach asked TJ, ‘Can your little sister play? We need more girls.’ So, I decided to play, and I really liked it,” Shea says. “My sophomore year was my first year playing field hockey. A bunch of the lacrosse girls play field hockey. All the running in the midfield in lacrosse translates, too. I’ve loved field hockey ever since I’ve started playing.”
Shea finds that playing both lacrosse and field hockey offers her opportunities to improve in different ways.
“I think the movements of both games correspond really well. There’s also the hand-eye coordination. The stick is on the ground in field hockey and up in lacrosse, but when I’m running midfield in field hockey, I’m doing the same thing in lacrosse,” says Shea. “I’ve been playing lacrosse for a very long time. Field hockey can be challenging, because I haven’t been playing very long. I have a lot to learn in field hockey. In lacrosse, there are challenging moments when I’m working new skills, but I love a challenge, though.”
The prospects of holding any sports season looked pretty grim as spring turned to summer, but Shea and her brother improvised a workout regimen in their back yard to stay ready just in case. Part of that regimen included using a weight set made from large pieces of wood. When the Dream League announced that it was holding its season, Shea was one step ahead of the game.
“During quarantine, I brought that competitive level to the back yard. Me and my brother created a weight set out of tree trunks,” Shea says. “It was a bad situation that came out good. It was a really cool opportunity that wouldn’t have happened otherwise. I was prepared and ready for any point. I wanted to be ready no matter what.”
Coach Pellegrino, who coaches both the Warriors and the high school team, was happy that he had a chance to work with Shea in the Dream League after they missed out on the spring season. Pellegrino was definitely impressed with what Shea brought to the field.
“Shea’s an exceptional player. She had a great Dream League season, as expected. She was one of the leading goal scorers this summer,” Pellegrino says. “Going into what we had hoped to be our spring season, we had high hopes for Shea to get into the starting lineup as a sophomore. She has a great sense of the field and has a nose for the goal. She plays great defense, too. She could almost play anywhere on the field.”
Shea is excited for things to start returning to normal this fall. North Haven High School has a hybrid plan for its students, so Shea will be attending classes in person two days a week. Field hockey practice is also underway, and Shea is revved up to get back out there and take on her opponents.
“I can’t wait get to back to school. It’s been way too long. Field Hockey is going to be different this year, but it’s definitely going to be competitive and a fun season,” says Shea. “I think the more frequently we see each other, it’s going to be more intense and more fun. Most of us know each other well, so it will create a whole new competitive level. It will be a good time. We’re competitive on the field, but off the field, we’re all friends.”