Nicole Iapoce started playing lacrosse in sixth grade. Two years later, she joined Highland’s varsity team, and now the sophomore is one of the Huskies’ top offensive players.

“I was really nervous, but the team welcomed me,” said Iapoce, of her first season as an eighth-grader. “It was a good experience

Iapoce scored 12 goals in her first season with Highland. Last year, she finished the season with 50 goals, and that was somewhat of a surprise.
“I wasn’t really expecting it,” she said. “It just happened I guess.”

As she starts her third season with the team and her role grows to become a bigger part of the offense, the team has also moved from Class C to Class B to face experienced teams like Warwick and Minisink.

Last week, the Huskies traveled south for about an hour to Monroe-Woodbury, a Class A team. The Crusaders started off strong in the first half before Iapoce and Eliz Fino scored goals late in the period to tie the score at 8-8 at the break.

The Crusaders came out strong in the second half, and again Iapoce and Fino tried to bring the team back late in the half before the home team prevailed 20-14.

And playing against teams like Monroe-Woodbury and their divisional rivals, said Iapoce, should make the Huskies a better squad.

“We have to play against these good teams to compete,” she said.
Iapoce is a midfielder, and it’s her role to help control the ball, so the Huskies have the opportunity to score. She also plays on a travel team, and she enjoys the hard work and camaraderie of the sport.

“I love the sport, the team and everyone,” she said. “We have to talk, and figure out how to work together.”