By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/6/11
Hatboro-Horsham rising junior attack Nicole Beck has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at the University of California at Berkeley.
Beck was a First Team Suburban One Continental Conference pick this year, helping the Hatters finish 16-3 while advancing to the second round of the District 1 tournament.
Beck had 66 goals and 43 assists this year and has 153 goals in her career. A team captain this season, Beck has competed twice at the National Tournament for Team Philly and was “Offensive Player of the Year” for Hatboro-Horsham in 2011.
Beck also was listed on ESPN RISE’s Watch list for top juniors this spring.
Aside from her lacrosse accolades, Beck is a three-time winner of the prestigious “Principals’ Award” at Hatboro-Horsham for Academic Excellence in the classroom, and has made the distinguished honor roll every semester in high school. She also was on the Student Council Advisrory Board and participated in many community service projects.
She plans to major in pre-med at Cal Berkeley.
Cal Berkeley went 9-8 this year and is now under the direction of recently-hired head coach Ginger Miles, a 2006 Virginia alum.
“The location is beautiful and I always wanted to be in California,” said Beck. “I think this gives me my best option academically. I also loved the camaraderie of the team.”
Beck was first recruited by former Cal coach Theresa Sherry, who resigned after the season. I started talking to coach Miles and within two or three weeks I decided to attend Cal.”
Cal Berkeley also dropped lacrosse this year due to budgetary problems, but alumni spearheaded a major fundraising drive and the program is guaranteed for at least seven years.
Beck said the 2011 was a success for Hatboro-Horsham, which suffered two close losses to conference champion North Penn and then a tough four-goal loss to semifinalist Springfield-Delco in the second round of districts.
“We had a new coach in Duncan Swezey and the team did really well,” said Beck. “The season was a lot of fun and we only lose three seniors for next year.”
Beck, who also plays field hockey, said sports help her to manage her time and focus on academics.
“I think when you have a tight schedule and have to be in certain places at certain tims it forces you to get the work done,” she said. “Having a rigid schedule actually makes it easier because you know you have a certain amount of time to focus on your school work and balance your time.
“The school work comes first. I have a strong passion for getting good grades and learning and playing sports has helped me with that.”
