01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Carolyn Thornton: Good evening, everyone. This is Carolyn Thornton and I am here in the Journal sports department with Eagles tricaptains Jess Fadale, Kate Murphy and Neko Catanzaro. They've already begun answering the questions that some of you submitted earlier, and we'll start posting them now. For those of you just signing on, go ahead and fire away a question of your own. The girls are ready to go.

Carolyn Thornton: For someone who is not familiar with lacrosse, can you describe the game for us a little bit?

Eagles: Lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America and this is most likely due to the fact that it is both a high-intensity and high-scoring game. With eleven players on the field, not including the goalie, the transition from offense to defense is fast and requires accuracy that can only be gained through practice. Women's lacrosse is a game of finesse as well as power. These unique factors separate lacrosse from most other sports.

inawe: Wow! What a winning legacy? What's the secret to your success?

Eagles: We believe that our team has established a winning legacy because of our team unity. No one player decides whether we win or lose a game, we execute each game together, capitalizing on each player's individual talents in order to create both a strong defensive and offensive end. We also maintain our composure even during the most intense competition. Our entire team stays both physically and mentally tough.

Carolyn Thornton: How long have each of you been playing lacrosse and how were you introduced to the sport?

Eagles: Though now there are many opportunities for girls of different ages and skill levels to pursue lacrosse, when we were first introduced to the sport in middle school it was almost unheard of in our town. Kate was first introduced to lacrosse by her male family members, under the impression that girls and boys lacrosse were the same. Neko only started to play because Kate wanted a buddy when she went to tryouts at the middle school. Jess was eager to fill her packed spring schedule with another sport. All of us ended up realizing our similar drive to push ourselves and our team to higher levels of play.

jet: which girls are the most difficult to defend from scoring in your league?

Eagles: When defending someone one on one, the most difficult players to defend are those that have both a strong right and left hand as well as a quick first step. However, we have found that our greatest success is in our passing game which creates a multitude of offensive opportunities as well as confuses the defense. The majority of our goals are assisted, which exemplifies how our emphasis lies in our team play.

Carolyn Thornton: Girls lacrosse is still such a young sport in Rhode Island. How has the level of competition improved in the four years that you have played in the Interscholastic League?

Eagles: Considering how new the sport is, it has improved greatly despite the few years of its existence. When we started our freshman year, there was only one division and now there are two in Rhode Island. The level of competition has risen due to the programs that have developed for younger athletes as well as the enthusiasm shown by players, coaches, and fans alike.

Carolyn Thornton: What other sports do you all play and where does lacrosse rate for you among the others?

Eagles: Kate: I was the captain of indoor track and competed in mostly distance events. I find that training in distance helps when one plays a wing position in lacrosse, and has to run the length of the field for most of the game. Jess: I was the captain of the soccer team and played goalkeeper. I like having the opportunity to be on the defensive end in the fall, and then participate in the offensive end for lacrosse, scoring goals in the spring. Neko: I played basketball for three years and then switched to indoor track for my senior year and competed in the 300m, the 4x400m, the 4x100m, as well as tried high jump among other things. I only attempted the high jump out of my great affection for leaping while on the lacrosse field.

Carolyn Thornton: So exactly what opportunities are there in Rhode Island for girls to play lacrosse outside of the Interscholastic League? If someone wanted to give the sport a try, what would you suggest is a good way to start?

Eagles: There are alot of indoor leagues during the fall and winter, which are great opportunities for new players to be introduced to the sport on a smaller level. Also, there are a variety of camps that span the country during the summer. Personally, we have participated in camps run by colleges and found a high level of competition for more experienced players. There are also clinics that can be found, typically run by former college players, which are beneficial for those who are looking to play after high school. We have organized camps for young players through our high school, which emphasized both basic skills and having fun.

Carolyn Thornton: So how is Division I shaping up this season? What teams do you predict will be contending for the title?

Eagles: So far the season is looking good; however, it is too early for us to make a prediction for teams that would be contending for the state title. Every year the league becomes more competitive and it is exciting to be a part of it.

Carolyn Thornton: Your team has really created a great lacrosse tradition in a very short time. Does each state championship bring added pressure to keep the streak going or does the confidence that comes with each of those victories override the pressure?

Eagles: We believe that every year we are not defending another state title, but rather we are gunning for that elite spot. Though there will always be pressure because of the previous success that we have had, we try not to look back but look forward instead. We are proud of our past accomplishments that we have worked hard to achieve; yet, it is a new season and everyone starts on level playing ground. As our coach always tells us, 'On any given day any team can beat another.'

Carolyn Thornton: Can you suggest some good internet resources where young girls can learn more about your sport?

Eagles: First check out college websites in your area for summer camps. We have participated in these and have enjoyed each and every one. Also, it is helpful to join US Lacrosse, once you join, you receive their monthly magazine which provides continued updates on the sport at the college and professional level. Also, companies that are in the business of selling lacrosse gear often sponsor camps (such as STX and Brine).

Carolyn Thornton: Do any of you plan to play lacrosse in college, and if so, what schools are you considering and/or have you already committed somewhere?

Eagles: Kate: I will be attending Union College and hope to participate in their lacrosse program. Jess: I will be attending Brown next year and am considering playing on the team. Neko: I will be attending Brown next year as well and will be trying out in the spring.

Carolyn Thornton: The high school lacrosse season seems to start quite a bit later than many of the other spring sports. What has your team been doing over the past couple of weeks as you wait for the season to get underway?

Eagles: Preseason was filled with running, which is to be expected considering the sport. We also focused on agility, and our coach Peter Brock prides himself on emphasizing basic stick skills as a crucial element of the game. Whether it be right-left-back hand-quick stick--or whatever else our innovative coach can come up with, even behind the back, around the world!!!

Carolyn Thornton: Do any of you play on travel teams and if so, which ones? Also, can you talk about some of the places that competing on those teams has taken you to, along with some highlights of your accomplishments with those teams?

Eagles: Neko: I played on the RI Metacomet Select Team, which was a great experience for me. I went to various tournaments in MA, NY, CT, and NH and was able to experience a high level of play that differed from the high school level that I knew. Travel teams are a great way to make connections. Even though it is over, I still remain friends with many of the girls that I played with.

Carolyn Thornton: Based upon the colleges you all will be attending next fall, it's pretty clear that academics have been a priority for you despite your involvement in sports. What has been the key for each of you in maintaining such good balance?

Eagles: I think all of us have found that sports has actually helped us with our time management. Finding the balance between school, practices, games, and team dinners can be a challenge; however, ultimately these past four years have been worth the effort both on the field and in the classroom.

Hanna: How is your team adjusting to the new rules and regulations?

Eagles: Well Han, it has been quite an adjustment to the hard boundaries and new defensive rules. These additional rules force us to be more accurate and direct in our passing on the field. The defensive rules have finally provided the defense with an edge, whereas before the rules favored the offense. These new rules have become a catalyst for a more skilled and controlled game.

Carolyn Thornton: What do each of you plan to study in college? Have you given any thought to careers that you might pursue?

Eagles: Kate: Most likely I plan to study in the field of political science, perhaps pre-law, with a minor in Italian. Jess: I would like to continue my studies in spanish. I am also interested in creative writing and am considering pre-med, perhaps leaning towards sports medicine. Neko: I am pretty sure that I will be majoring in history, as well as studying classics and sociology.

Carolyn Thornton: How do the men's and women's lacrosse games compare to each other?

Eagles: Whereas men's emphasizes brute strength, the women's game is based on skill, finesse, and coordination. Though they are both known as the sport of lacrosse, they are entirely different games.

Carolyn Thornton: Okay, here's a deep one - where do each of you see yourselves in 10 years?

Eagles: Jess: In ten years I hope to be able to maintain my love of athletics in my career choice. Kate: No matter what field I end up in, I hope that I can still participate in athletics either through coaching or remaining an avid fan. Neko: I hope that in ten years I still expect to be the same competitive person that I am today.

Carolyn Thornton: Well, our hour is up. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with us. You very eloquently provided us with some interesting insight into the world of lacrosse. Best of luck with the rest of your season.

Eagles: Thanks for the opportunity for us to discuss our passion for the game with you!