Williams Leads O'Neill Lacrosse to States, scroll down for full story from The Times Herald Record, May 24, 2008

From The Times Herald-Record
May 24, 2008

She was armed with a guy's stick, standing in the middle of Shea Stadium at West Point just trying to keep her passes off the turf.

Suzy Williams has definitely upgraded her repertoire since she was an eighth-grader just picking up lacrosse. Now, the James I. O'Neill senior is making ridiculous shots, spinning the stick in the air and perfecting her Indian pick-up.

In the second home game of the season, Williams corralled a rebound with her back to the goal and flicked it in the back of the net.

"I just picked it up and shot it through my legs, and it went in," Williams said. "The crowd went crazy."

But there's a lot more substance in the senior midfielder's game despite the fancy stick work and the prolific scoring. Williams has 43 goals and 45 assists to lead Section 9 in total points with 88.

"It's a huge accomplishment," said Williams, whose first stick was in the Army colors black and gold. "It's great because it's mostly because of my assists."

As captain, Williams made it a point this season to get her teammates involved. That meant she wanted all 22 of her teammates to get the ball, including the five new players who joined the team this season. During tryouts, Williams handed out her own lacrosse sticks to girls who didn't have one, and knew it was important to incorporate the newcomers and veterans.

"I wanted to do more with my leadership this season," she said. "I try to include everyone on the team. We play as one. If it wasn't for random people trying out, we wouldn't have a team."

Williams' leadership was key when O'Neill started the season with a four-game losing streak, dropping games to Section 9 powerhouses Kingston, Pine Bush, Saugerties and Monroe-Woodbury. The team cleaned up its act by practicing for 2?1/2 hours, six days a week, and the wins followed. The Raiders reeled off victories against John S. Burke Catholic and Saugerties. O'Neill (11-4) has a formidable attack team that includes Caroline Cannon, Becca Meese and Ali Naessens. The Raiders clinched the Class C title and are headed to regionals.

"Considering we're a small school, we have talent," said Williams, who had four goals and two assists in the win against Saugerties. "We're definitely a force to be reckoned with."

Lacrosse came naturally to the former cross-country runner, and she has developed her game by going to various camps the past four seasons. Williams, who is an avid hockey fan and loves the Detroit Red Wings, will be doing an internship for the Army men's lacrosse team this summer. And she hopes to play at Division I SUNY Albany next year.

O'Neill has a bye to the state Class C tournament.