Junior year is filled with hard classes, stress and college discovery, but for two juniors at North Harford High that college decision is already made. Lily Macatee and Rachel Keeney have both committed to play lacrosse at separate colleges.

      Macatee was looking at York College, Franklin and Marshall College and Salisbury University but ultimately committed to Gettysburg College. The school competes in the Centennial Conference at the NCAA division three level. Gettysburg is the perfect fit for Macatee because, “[she] could really see [herself] there and the school has everything [she] was looking for in a college.”

       Keeney was looking at another school, Youngstown State in Ohio, but decided to commit to Millersville University. The university battles in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference at the NCAA Division two level. Keeney chose Millersville because she “could envision herself there and loves the team, [she] clicked really well with them.” She also detailed that, “it is the perfect distance from home and has such a beautiful campus.” 

     The college recruitment process is different for everyone. For Macatee, “it started a few years ago, [she] would email coaches before every tournament to let them know where [she] was playing.”  Kenney also emailed coaches and “put herself out there in the lacrosse world.” After emailing both girls would research the schools and keep in contact. Keeney’s process was, “difficult and stressful at times, but was worth it.”

      Keeney and Macatee discovered their schools in different ways. Macatee’s sister plays lacrosse at Gettysburg and “that’s what sparked [her] interest in the school.” Keeney knew that past graduates of North Harford continued their lacrosse career at Millersville but truly discovered the school for herself when she attended “a clinic over the summer.” She met the coaches at the clinic and found that they, “had the coaching style that [she] knew would fit [her].” 

     Both girls have met others who have also committed to their school. For Keeney, “as of now there are three other girls committed from [her] graduating class to play at Millersville.” According to Keeney, “the girls are so sweet and very skilled athletes.” Keeney is, “very excited for the next four years with them.” Macatee has also met some other Gettysburg lacrosse commits. Macatee “loves them, they are so nice and very similar to [her].” 

     Both girls are overall very happy that they committed early. Keeney is “glad [she] committed early so she can take the time to focus on the present and know that [she] has a great school ahead of [her].” Macatee decided to commit early because, “she knew it was what she wanted and that Gettysburg was the place she wanted to go.”