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08/12/2021 12:00 AMHeading into 3rd grade, Riley Minns wanted to play a sport and decided that her sport was going to be lacrosse. Riley took a liking to the game and went on to become a key member of the midfield for the North Haven girls’ lacrosse team as a junior this spring, while earning a captain’s role for her upcoming senior campaign.
“I hadn’t played a sport before. My parents asked me if I wanted to play a sport and gave me all my options. I thought I’d try lacrosse,” says Riley. “I had never really heard of it, but I wanted to try something new.”
Riley played lacrosse in North Haven’s recreational league from her 3rd-grade season through 8th grade. By the time she was in 5th grade, Riley felt that the sport was clicking for her and knew she wanted to play for as long as she could. When she started high school, Riley realized that her experience at the rec level was going to prove invaluable for her transition into a greater level of competition.
“Having the background of a sport, especially when you’re entering high school, really helps you. You’re able to help your team more. You get in the game and know what you’re doing,” Riley says. “If I hadn’t had that prior playing experience, I wouldn’t be in the position I am in now.”
Even with all of her experience, Riley quickly found out that high school lacrosse was a different beast altogether. Riley was one of only a few freshmen who played for North Haven’s JV team that season. While it was a challenge, Riley wanted to prove that she would soon be ready to jump up to the varsity squad.
“It was definitely a little scary. I was one of four freshmen in JV. I felt like I really had to step up. It made me work even harder. I wanted to prove myself,” says Riley. “The game is more aggressive in high school, and you have to get used to it. You have to get to the ball faster and be more aggressive on defense or shooting the ball. After freshman year, I definitely knew how the high school game was played.”
Riley’s sophomore season of high school lacrosse was canceled due to COVID-19. However, during the summer, Riley and many of her teammates had an opportunity to compete in the Dream League, which was formed following the cancellation of the spring campaign.
Riley was one of the older players on North Haven’s roster. She felt that playing in the Dream League helped her get ready for her return to the high school turf.
“I was one of the older people who played on that team. I had to become more of a leader,” Riley says. “As a junior, I had to step up and kind of run the offense. The Dream League helped with that. There weren’t separate teams. Everybody had to work together.”
When she came back as a junior, Riley was promoted to a starting midfielder on North Haven’s varsity team. Although North Haven saw some struggles in the win column, Riley says that everyone on the team grew throughout the season and gained of an understanding of what it takes to compete in the SCC.
Riley feels that her game has come a long way both offensively and defensively since her freshman season. In addition to improving her technical skills, Riley now knows how to play a cleaner version of lacrosse in which she is able to use her aggressive play to her advantage.
“I’ve definitely grown up a lot. My defense has gotten a lot better. I don’t make as many fouls. I’m an aggressive player and, freshman year, I didn’t know how to control it,” says Riley. “This year, I definitely worked on my defense. My stick skills have definitely gotten better. My left hand is better, and I’m better at taking the draw. I’ve definitely improved since that freshman year.”
Riley has played the midfield position throughout her lacrosse career. Riley never minded all the running that’s comes with playing midfielder. She’s also done plenty of running as a member of North Haven’s cross country program during the past few years.
Riley competed for the first cross country team at North Haven Middle School when she was in 7th grade and continues to participate in the sport at the high school. Riley, who served as a junior captain last fall, feels that her experience from running cross country stokes the competitive fire that she brings to the lacrosse field.
“Cross country is definitely a very mental sport. It’s a team sport, but you’re really running yourself. You don’t have a goalie to save goals,” Riley says. “I know what I have to do when I enter a race. That helps me in lacrosse. I’ve become a competitive player. I want to do everything I can do to help the team win.”
Heading into her senior year, Riley was named a captain for the North Haven girls’ lacrosse team alongside fellow rising seniors Sophia Doria, Eliza O’Connor, and Shea Saracino. Riley felt honored to receive that distinction and is excited about building family bonds on the squad in the 2022 season.
“It meant a lot to me. It’s not chosen by the coaches. We do a democratic system. We make speeches and present them, and then we’re scored by the team,” says Riley. “It shows that my teammates think I could be a good leader and help everybody on the team on and off the field.”
To Riley, being a lacrosse player means being someone who is both physically and mentally tough. As she gears up for her last year at North Haven, Riley is looking to use that toughness to help her team pick up more victories and potentially make a run to the postseason.
“There are a lot of ups and downs in the game. It’s easy to get down on yourself. You have to have a tough mentality and persevere through anything,” Riley says. “I have a lot of perseverance. I’m just glad I’ve had this experience playing for North Haven.”