By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/4/12
Academy Park senior attack Tanisha Joseph has made a verbal commitment to play Division II lacrosse at Shippensburg University.
Joseph becomes the first Academy Park player to commit to play college lacrosse since the program was brought back two years ago, at the JV level. The Knights will play a varsity schedule this year for the first time since 1993.
Tanisha Joseph log:
High School: Academy Park
Graduation Year: 2012
Position: Midfielder
College Choice: Shippensburg
Academic honors: Honor Roll; Distinguished Honors, French
What will you major in/study? Criminal Justice/Sociology
Other information: Joseph ‘s commitment comes just one year after she first began playing the sport. It also comes just four years after she underwent major surgery for scoliosis, an operation that lasted 8 hours and caused her to be restricted to bed rest for three months. Joseph was recruited by first-year Shippensburg coach Ashley Manion (former Lehigh standout) while training at coach Jen Duckenfield’s clinics at Ampro Fieldhouse.
Why did you choose school? “I didn’t think a lot of people would even consider watching somebody who has played only one year. But (Manion) told me she was impressed by my natural instincts for defending. The campus is nice and I like the size of the school. Also, it’ very diverse. The girls on the lacrosse team welcomed me with open arms. I fit in already.”
What is your HS team’s outlook for the season? “We lost a couple seniors so it’s like we’re rebuilding with a new tradition, being that it’s our first year of varsity. We’re fresh and hopefully we can build a tradition that lasts for a while. There is no middle school program so we have to start with the basic fundamentals. We’re really excited to play some of the teams that have probably been playing for years. Most of us have just been playing a couple years so if we can hang in with them it tells you a lot.”
Other comments: “I would like to thank my high school coach, Sue Reutter for even putting the thought of college lacrosse in my head. She was one of the first to believe in me. I want to thank my parents because they have supported me through it all, even when I didn’t think it was possible. I want to thank my friends for supporting me and thank coach (Amy) Straup.
“Last but not least, of course, the biggest thanks goes to coach Duck. She saw my talent and the training she put me through; I don’t think I would have made it without that. She said if I play for her I can play for anyone. She really did helped a lot. She never stopped pushing me.”
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