Women’s recruit: Carroll’s Harris signs with Drexel, is awaiting team’s entry into PIAA

By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, posted 2/16/09

Archbishop Carroll senior midfielder Kaitlin Harris has signed a letter of intent to play lacrosse at Drexel University.

Harris, a second-team All-Catholic League choice last year, said she bonded with the Dragons team and coach Anna Maria Vesco.

“I loved Drexel when I made my visit,” Harris said. “It is a competitive school and I really liked coach Vesco. She set up a chance for me to have lunch with two of the girls on the team and they were so welcoming and helpful it made me feel like I could fit in.

“Also (Carroll) coach (Lorraine) Beers went there and it’s cool that I was committing where she went.”

Harris plans to study nursing at Drexel.

“It’s close to home and I love that it’s in the city,” she said.

Before taking the step to Division I lacrosse, Harris and the Patriots are looking to uphold a remarkable streak that has made Carroll one of the biggest stories in the area.

The Pats have won eight straight Catholic League championships and won over 100 consecutive league games. This year the Catholic League has joined the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) and now Carroll can shoot for a shot at state gold as well.

Last year’s Carroll team was led by a strong group of seniors, but this year’s senior contingent features seven Division I signees.

“I feel like it’s such a tribute to coach Beers that we’ve been able to (win) the championship for those eight years,” Harris said. “I am so confident about the team this year.

“We are kind of young because we did lose so many seniors. But I’m confident these girls are going to be able to fill right in. I can’t wait to get started and show everyone what we can do.”

Harris said the team is accepting the challenge to stay on top.

“I feel like some people aren’t expecting that Carroll will come out like last year,” she said. “We’ll show everyone that we can keep up the Carroll standards.

“And we’re so excited to be in the PIAA. That will give us an extra edge; everybody is excited to get into the PIAA playoffs.”