Every spring since sixth grade, Eliz Fino has been of two schools.

She attended and played both soccer and basketball at Marlboro. However, in the spring she traveled a few miles to the north to play lacrosse for the Highland Huskies.

The program is merged between Highland and Marlboro but plays under the Highland banner. The boys’ program was already merged and eventually the girls’ team was, as well, giving Fino and several other

Marlboro players an opportunity to play for the Huskies.

Highland isn’t just another school. It’s a rival school, but there were no nerves when it came to putting on the Huskies’ uniform.

“I created a bond with all the girls I played with,” Fino said. “We always used to go at it in soccer. When I throw on the Marlboro uniform, we’re battling, but as soon as I put on the Highland uniform, we’re best friends.”

When Highland girls’ lacrosse coach Kim Caso met her for the first time when she was in sixth grade, she wasn’t sure what her potential was. Then in seventh grade, she had a feeling Fino would excel.

“She was always a soccer player; that was her first love,” Caso said. “I wasn’t sure if she would like the game and enjoy it. By the time she got to seventh grade, you could see the love she had for lacrosse. She went right to doing travel teams. It’s a passion of hers. She loves and because she loves it, she excels.”

And what a career it was.

As a junior, she scored 16 goals in one game in a win over Newburgh Free Academy. She also was named All-American last year. Since she started as an eighth grader, she has 386 goals.

“That means a lot,” Fino said. “I couldn’t have done it without my teammates and coaches and dad. It meant a lot because I had them there supporting me. My teammates were always happy for me.”

She cemented her college plans in November when she signed her National Letter Intent to continue her lacrosse career at Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Conn.

She made her first visit to Central Connecticut as a freshman.

“I loved that school and I loved the girls,” Fino said. “They were so nice. I loved the school and the field, and they had what I wanted to major in.”

And that’s where her other love comes in: forensic science. She’s plans to major in criminology with an eye toward becoming a crime scene investigator.

The school wasn’t on her radar at first.

“I always wanted to go to Florida,” Fino said. “I have family in Florida, but I also want my dad to come to some home games and he definitely won’t mind the drive.”

Looking at the school since she was a freshman, she was initially recruited by the Blue Devils’ previous coach, Princess Livingston. She was concerned when Betsy Vendel took over for Livingston in October 2018.

“I was worried,” Fino said. “I actually started looking at other places, but (Vendel) asked me if I was still interested.”

Vendel had only one full season at the helm of Central Connecticut and the Blue Devils were struggling when the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were 2-14 in Vendel’s first season.

Fino lost her season as well. The Huskies only practiced for a week before schools were closed in March and the season was officially canceled when school was closed for the year on May 1.

“It was definitely upsetting,” Fino said. “I wish I was able to play with my teammates. It’s definitely sad that it’s my senior year. But what’s important is that everyone is healthy and that they’re all home and safe.”

Fino has made the most of the time. She would try to do most of her schoolwork in the morning and then would break up the afternoon with a bike ride or running in the afternoon.

And of course, she practiced her lacrosse skills every day. She has a net to shoot at and she will set up cones to dodge, and other drills.

“She’s a fighter and a go-getter,” Caso said. “She works hard even when she’s not with me on the field. She’ll be practicing in her off time. She’s going to go in as a freshman and, in her mind, she’s got it set up to succeed.

They’ll quickly realize she’s a good kid and a good player. She’ll do well.”

Fino said she’ll miss the girls she played with, both in Marlboro and in Highland. She had tremendous support, even though she was from a rival school. She’ll also miss the trips for sushi after her father would pick her up from games.

But she’s excited about the next step.

“I’m ready for a challenge,” Fino said. “I am ready for that step to wake up at 7 a.m. and practice every day. I am looking forward to a whole new environment and meeting new girls. I am definitely excited.”