Recently we had a chance to speak with Monmouth women’s lacrosse player Lisa Cherill. The senior entered her final season as a two-time all-NEC first team performer.  Last year, Monmouth finished the regular season in second place and and fell to UMBC in the 2002 Championship match, losing 15-5.  During her junior campaign, Cherill ranked seventh in the nation in groundballs and led the Hawks in caused turnovers. The midfielder also logged five goals and eight assists.  In 2001, she helped lead Monmouth to its first-ever tournament crown with a 14-9 victory over the Retrievers, making them the only team other than UMBC to win an NEC lacrosse title. Currently, the Hawks are tied for first place in the league standings with a perfect 3-0 mark, as they look toward the 2003 NEC Lacrosse Championships on May 1 & 3 at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. 

Name: Lisa Cherill
School: Monmouth
Sport: Women’s Lacrosse
Year: Senior

Hometown: Voorhees, New Jersey
High School: Eastern
Major: Special Education
Notable Award: Two-time First Team All-Conference 
Favorite Class/Professor: Most of my special education classes taught by Prof. DeGregorio.

NEC: Why did you choose to come to Monmouth?
LC: The location is great. It’s on the east coast, the beach is close and it’s not too far from my home. I also really liked the lacrosse program and the small campus atmosphere. 

NEC: What career do you wish to pursue after graduation?
LC: I want to be a teacher, most likely at the secondary education level.

NEC: How does it feel to be a two-time All-Conference performer?
LC: It’s very exciting and nice to be recognized. I work really hard in practices and games. We all try to really push each other.   

NEC: How big is your rivalry with UMBC since you are the only other team to win a championship in league history?
LC: The rivalry is huge. We always want to beat UMBC, that’s the main thing. It may be a big rivalry, but it is also an achievable goal. 

NEC: How are you preparing for the Championships?
LC: We are practicing hard everyday and we all get in the weight room. We also have bonding sessions. We do a lot of physical and mental preparation. 

NEC: What will it take for Monmouth to become NEC Champs this year?
LC: We need to work as a team and have confidence in ourselves. We had some trouble in the first conference game, but were able to step it up in the following games. When we work hard and have confidence we can accomplish anything. 

NEC: Who is your biggest competition at the Championships this year?
LC: UMBC is our biggest competition even though we have already beaten them this year. All the teams could be difficult, but I think we can beat any team in the conference.  

NEC: What strengths do you bring to the game that make you a great player?
LC: I never give up and always give 110% every game. I try to lead by example and make as few mistakes as possible.

NEC: What is your role on the team?
LC: I am one of the co-captains this year, so I am a leader and motivator on and off the field. I also try to be a role model for the freshman. 

NEC: What have you learned from playing lacrosse at Monmouth?
LC: The biggest thing I learned is time management. We have to be able to balance everything like class, practice, games and lifting.

NEC: How long have you been playing?
LC: I started playing when I was a freshman in high school.   

NEC: How did you get started?
LC: My older sister played and when I got to high school she wanted me to start. I learned to love the sport. 

NEC: Where is your favorite place to play?
LC: I like playing on our home field the best. 

NEC: If you didn’t play lacrosse, is there another sport you would participate in?
LC: I would play soccer. I played the sport my whole life until I started lacrosse.

NEC: Who are some people that have influenced you the most?
LC: My family is a big influence. My parents are very supportive and go to all of my games. My sister is a huge fan of the sport. My coaches are very enthusiastic and help me out tremendously.

NEC: What’s the most important attribute a lacrosse player needs?
LC: A player needs confidence in order to play well. 

NEC: What is the most memorable moment in your athletic career?
LC: Two years ago when we won the NEC Championship. Beating UMBC and having the opportunity to play Maryland was great. I was only a sophomore, so I was really pumped.

- Interview conducted by Dawn Van Cleef, NEC Administrative Intern