After Highland’s girls’ lacrosse team graduated much of its defense from last season, Brenna Berean, a sophomore, will come back and be an anchor during the rebuilding.

“She can pretty much play any position on the field,” said Kim Caso, Highland’s coach. “ She just plays defense better than any other position.”
Berean started playing lacrosse in fourth grade before joining the varsity team in eighth grade. During that time, she also played goalie and has come to understand an effective defense.

“You’re protecting the goalie,” said Berean. “I know it’s tough in there. I just like being there to help her.”

And protection brings the fight, and Berean likes that about the entire game she’s pursued since she was young.

“I like that it’s competitive,” said Berean, “that it’s aggressive.”
The Huskies ended last season with a playoff loss in Class C. They now move up to Class B against teams such as Minisink, Valley Central and Warwick. And Berean is expected to help her team direct the defense and help in practice.

“She’s good with her communication skills,” said Caso.

Berean works on her stick skills and plays a lot of wall base to stay sharp throughout the season. And she enjoys playing with teammates that work together to try to be competitive against some of the best teams in the section.

“We’re a very accepting group. We are always encouraging each other,” she said. “We are very positive.”

The Huskies finished 8-7 last year and return to a new environment in a different division with elevated competition. And Berean is ready to do her part with a new defense that will try and protect the goalie.
“I am looking forward to playing with the new girls,” she said.