Quakers on top
Goalie is playing key role in team’s drive toward title
As Aubrie Tarris moves effortlessly from one end of the goal cage to the other, deflecting opponents' shots on goal and directing her teammates on defense to move the ball up the field, the victories have mounted for the Quaker Valley High School girls lacrosse team.
Winners of eight of their first nine games, the Quakers (8-1) were the top-ranked Western Pennsylvania team in girls lacrosse as ranked by Laxpower.com heading into this week's games. The Quakers defeated Franklin Regional, 17-10, Monday and defeated Seneca Valley, 13-9, Tuesday. They were scheduled to play Fox Chapel Thursday and have a non-section game today against Moon Area.
Tarris is a rare commodity in high school athletics. She has excelled in lacrosse for the four years she has played for Quakers coach Nellie Kraus. But she also had a significant role playing on the Quakers hockey team that has been one of the top teams in Western Pennsylvania in recent seasons.
“Aubrie isn't someone to talk the talk,” said Quakers hockey coach Kevin Quinn, who instituted the program in the 1997-98 season. “She's walked the walk, and she's done so on a boys team where it's tough for a girl to get in the lineup.”
She scored two goals and had two assists this season on a team that played in the Penguins Cup Class A championship at Consol Energy Center but lost to Mars, 4-2.
Tarris, a 17-year-old resident of Bell Acres, which is just outside of Sewickley, has played lacrosse since she was in sixth grade. She's played hockey for nine years.
She believes her experience in both sports has aided her immensely.
“It transfers in every way possible,” she said of playing both sports. “You are keeping in shape. You are lifting and you are able to see the field in a different way [when you compete in two sports]. You see it so much better and you can translate everything over. These are two sports that are so cohesive together. They connect so well, and things transfer well from one sport to the other. It is an amazing thing to keep both seasons going and you can stay in shape and be ready to go.”
She has drawn plenty of attention from college programs. She signed a letter-of-intent to compete for Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va., where she plans to study business beginning next fall.
Kraus said Tarris has been a solid presence on her team.
“She has brought a lot of amazing energy and dedication,” Kraus said. “The end of the hockey season is when our season begins, so it takes a lot of dedication and focus [to do what she has done].”
Tarris hopes to continue her hockey career on the Liberty women's club hockey team while also competing for the women's lacrosse team. She believes that playing on multiple teams has prepared her for the rigors of college athletics.
“Discipline is something that has been instilled in me from the very beginning,” Tarris said. “I've played on two lacrosse teams and three hockey teams a year. I've had a demanding schedule. Sometimes, it's two or three practices a day. That's something that keeps you in check with your schedule and you have to hold yourself accountable. I think my experience here has definitely helped me to prepare [for playing in college].”
Both Quinn and Kraus have no doubt that Tarris will succeed in college.
“She had a tremendous work ethic when she came to us,” Quinn said. “She had a good shot, and she handles the stick well. She's very coachable and has a great work ethic.” Kraus admires Tarris' tenacity. “She never complains, she pushes herself and she has a tremendous work ethic,” she said. “She's leaving us, but she'll be a Division 1 goalie and a great attribute for Liberty.”