By Molly Tow
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/9/11
Unionville rising senior attack Kristen Newbrough has made a verbal commitment to play Division I lacrosse at Duquesne University.
Newbrough was Third Team Ches-Mont League pick and is in the National Honor Society. She plays club lacrosse for SEPA 2012,
While at Duquesne, Newbrough plans to major in Nursing. She will also get the chance to play under Dukes’ defensive coordinator, Gina Oliver. Oliver, a graduate of Pottstown, was an All-World member of the U.S. World Cup team that won gold in 2009.
“I chose to play at Duquesne because I really like the coaching staff, the girls on the team, the campus, and its academics,” said Newbrough. “Duquesne has a great nursing program which worked out for me.
“My assistant coach at Unionville, Kelly Kremer, played for [head coach Michael] Scerbo when he was the assistant coach at Ohio State and she only had great things to say about him. Both Scerbo and Gina are extremely enthusiastic coaches and I can tell that they are very passionate about the team and lacrosse.
“I also really love Pittsburgh. There is so much to do there and there are so many hospitals right in the city that I will be completing my rotations in. The last thing that I really like about Duquesne is that the city is only a few steps away, yet there is still a campus.”
Newbrough is the second Philadelphia rising senior to commit to Duquesne. Radnor attack/midfield Elizabeth Lowry made the commitment in November 2010.
Newbrough is also the second Unionville player to make a commitment to play college lacrosse this year. Her teammate, attack/midfield Kris Abens, committed to Lehigh earlier this year.
In 2011, Unionville placed sixth in the Ches-Mont League with a record of 6-5 (8-10 overall).
“Our 2011 season was a little bit rocky, since we lost 10 seniors the year before,” said Newbrough. “I think it is important that we realize our team improved a lot throughout the season even though we did not make it to playoffs. Many of the games we lost were only by one goal, which shows we have to work that much harder this season.”
Newbrough believes her team’s progress in 2011 has prepared the Indians well for next season.
“I think this season is going to be very successful for us,” said Newbrough. “Last year was our rebuilding year and I feel like we are prepared for this season because of that.
“I do think we need to work harder this season than we did last season, but I know we will. My main goal is to make it to playoffs, because once we are in playoffs, anything can happen.”
