Sports

Girls Lacrosse: Keeping busy isn’t an issue for SWR’s Higgins

Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of the aspects of lacrosse that Samantha Higgins likes best is its activity. Players are moving, the ball is moving, and Higgins seems to be in perpetual motion, both on and off the field.

A standout in the classroom as well as the athletic field, the Shoreham-Wading River High School senior is a three-sport varsity athlete for the Wildcats. In addition, she has done community service work, including devoting time to Natural Helpers, a peer mentoring group that helps in suicide prevention, not to mention her involvement in a variety of clubs. The National Honor Society member has a weighted average of 99.

Is it any wonder that free time is precious to Higgins?

“I’m very busy,” she said. “I feel like if I’m just at home I’m kind of bored. I really value my free time, so when I do get to relax, it’s really important to me.”

Higgins, a converted defender whose twin brother, Kyle, plays for Shoreham’s boys lacrosse team, is playing midfield in her fifth season for the lacrosse team. (She also has four varsity soccer seasons and three varsity basketball seasons under her belt). She will play lacrosse for Yale.

“She’s that kid that you always want on your team,” lacrosse coach Brittany Davis said. “You wish you could have like 20 of them, extremely coachable, puts her heart into everything, wants the best for everybody, puts other people before herself.”

Higgins, an all-county player and academic all-American last year, was moved to midfield last year. “It’s a lot more running, a lot more tiring,” she said Saturday after assisting on a goal by Erin Triandafils in a 10-9 home victory over Eastport-South Manor. “I like to just be involved in all aspects of the game, and even though I’m not scoring all the time or assisting all the time or doing anything like that, I just like to be there to create space for my teammates.”

Higgins entered this week with 10 goals and 14 assists, according to Newsday, but statistics don’t tell the whole story about her game.

“I think she’s better than she thinks she is,” said Davis, adding: “She’s that total package. She’s ready to hustle off the draw, get the ball. She plays defense. She plays offense. She rides the ball. She’s there in transition.”

Davis continued: “She’s just one of those overachievers, but in the most humble way. She’s got a heart of gold and kind of just wants to help anyone, anywhere, whatever she needs to do, so she’s definitely one of those special kids that I’m going to miss a lot.”

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Photo caption: Shoreham-Wading River senior midfielder Samantha Higgins is an active player who will bring her game to Yale. (Credit: Bob Liepa)