AOTW: Shelby Harrison

The Hopkins Women’s Lacrosse team had a promising opening to their 2020 season this weekend with a win against the Drexel University Dragons at Homewood Field. The win was the 12th consecutive season-opening victory for the Jays. 

The matchup became a back-and-forth affair for most of the game with neither team able to establish more than a two-goal advantage over the other. With just over 10 minutes left in the second half, the game sat at 11-11 as both teams tried to figure out how to swing the momentum in their favor.

Big Ten Freshman of the Week attackman Carly Steinlauf and junior midfielder Shelby Harrison, a recipient of the same award her freshman year, capped off a three-goal scoring run in the last 10 minutes of the game to give Hopkins the 13-11 victory. 

Harrison scored not only the final goal of the match, but two others, making this her fourth career hat trick. The junior also added three draw controls and forced three turnovers to add to her already impressive performance.

The strong showing from Harrison is nothing unusual, as she has had an impressive career throughout her three years at Homewood. The Maryland native has started all but two games since her freshman year and has been a mainstay on the Blue Jay stat sheet. 

Her freshman year, Harrison made her presence felt right away. The 2018 season saw Harrison contribute ten goals, snag 11 ground balls and force ten turnovers while setting the freshman record for draws in a season (91) and draws in a game (11), receiving Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors three times and being named to the All-Big Ten team. 

In her sophomore campaign, Harrison improved in nearly every aspect of her game. Finishing with 20 goals, 21 ground balls, 76 draw controls and 16 caused turnovers, Harrison once again was named to the All Big-Ten team and she also added Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association All-Mid-Atlantic honors to her resume. 

The News-Letter spoke to Harrison about why she started playing lacrosse and how she prepared in the offseason, as well as her goals and what she looks forward to this season.

The News-Letter: What are your goals this season?

Shelby Harrison: I am striving to be the best that I can be, both offensively and defensively, and lead by example. I want to be a teammate that can be counted on to give 100 percent at all times.

N-L: How did you prepare in the offseason, and how did that impact the team’s performance this past weekend?

SH: In the offseason I really worked on my dodging ability and really focused on using different moves than I have in the past. I also feel that I really worked on mentally preparing for games and practices. 

Even when things are not going our way on the field, I am working on keeping focused and not letting mistakes affect the next play. I think that is something that really helped me succeed this weekend; when our team was down and I made little mistakes, I made an effort to make the next play better and to support those around me.

N-L: When did you start playing lacrosse and why did you choose to continue playing in college?

SH: I started playing organized lacrosse in elementary school, although I was on the lacrosse field as soon as I was born since my parents coached my two older sisters’ rec teams and high school teams. I also played soccer and basketball but was always drawn more to lacrosse. When I was given the opportunity to continue playing at Hopkins at the collegiate level, I knew I had made the right sports choice!

N-L: What are you looking forward to this season?

SH: Improving each game and helping the team toward the overall goal of winning a Big Ten championship and a chance to win the [National Collegiate Athletic Association] championship.