By Maria Riegel, Special Writer
The South Brunswick High School girls’ varsity lacrosse team has senior goalie and solid role model Blaire Nathanson to look up to, according to girls lacrosse coach John Coppola.
”She has an unbelievable love for the sport and plays all year round,” Mr. Coppola said.
Ms. Nathanson began lacrosse in seventh grade at Crossroads South Middle School, where her cousin’s love for the sport intrigued her to begin.
She then started playing for South Brunswick High School as a freshman on the freshman team and, as a sophomore, advanced to the varsity team.
In 2010, Ms. Nathanson began playing off-season for club lacrosse team, Triple Threat which helped her improve her skills and also allowed her to be recruited by colleges.
Mr. Coppola said that in his past four years of coaching Ms. Nathanson, he has witnessed her growth through having improved hand coordination and stick handling.
”My athletiscism has definitely grown over the years,” Ms. Nathanson said.
She said she also has gained experience when judging the angles of the shots entering the goal.
This is a result from her constant off-season practice at Triple Threat according to Mr. Coppola and Ms. Nathanson.
”She is always working to improve her game.” Mr. Coppola said. “Her dedication has paid off well because she is one of the top goalies in the county.”
Ms. Nathanson is also always willing to help out the other players on the team, and show the younger goalies the fundamentals of the game Mr. Coppola said.
According to Mr. Coppola, not only is Ms. Nathanson willing to help her own team at the high school, but she goes above and beyond by assisting with the township’s recreational lacrosse program.
”The goal for me is to stay focused and help out the team as best as I can,” Ms. Nathanson said.
In t6he fall, Ms. Nathanson will be attending Iona College in New York where she received both a lacrosse and academic scholarship to major in advertising and marketing.
Despite looking forward to playing college lacrosse, Ms. Nathanson said she will certainly miss the friends she has made playing for South Brunswick. Ms. Nathanson said that in a few years she will be able to look back to her high school lacrosse years and see how far she has come and continue to strive forward.
”I will miss playing for South Brunswick,” Ms. Nathanson said. “We are one big family.”
Ms. Nathanson is a significant asset to the team, and shows a lot of commitment to the sport according to Mr. Coppola.
”As a lacrosse player, I would like to always stay focused and continue on with the sport,” Ms. Nathanson said.

