Seven Questions with Meredith Harris

Full name: Meredith J. Harris

Nickname: Alien

Hometown: Ridgewood, NJ

Birth date: 8/3/83

Zodiac sign: Leo

Favorite athlete: Jen Adams



Usually 7 Questions is constructed to be somewhat funny, but sometimes it is necessary to ask serious questions pertinent to one's sport. Enter women's lacrosse sophomore midfielder Meredith Harris -- a serious lacrosse player with a funny side, but one who is willing to answer the tough questions.

On the field, Harris plays both offense and defense, and apparently gets really annoyed if you call her a ball hog. She has started all six games for the Jumbos and has scored nine goals on only 21 shots. She also has dished out three assists to give her a total of 12 points, third best on the team.

Currently at 4-2 overall and 1-2 in the NESCAC, the team is on its make-or-break stretch of games with all NESCAC opponents in its next six games, starting today at Middlebury.

I caught up to Harris cleaning her cleats and defogging her goggles, so naturally 7 Questions followed.



1. Last year, your team started off hot and then struggled in NESCAC play, how does the team plan to avoid that this year?

There were a few problems on the team last year, both personal and communal. While we had a lot of talent, we did not play together that well. This year we have a great team dynamic so I don't see us having the same sort of problems. If anything, the fact that we're a young team might have an impact on the games, but I think it is something we can overcome.



>2. Are there any funny stories from the team's spring break trip in Florida, if so, can you tell me one?

The entertainment: "Majestic Rhythms" and "The Fabulous life"...



3. So far, you have nine goals, but only have three assists, what's up with some passing?

This question is stupid. Anyone who plays with me knows I don't drive to goal very much.



>4. Why did women's lacrosse players start wearing those futuristic looking goggles and do they interfere with field vision?

We started to wear them because in the final tournament this year and next year it will be required that all NESCAC players wear them. Carol thought we should get used to playing with them.

At first they were very distracting for everyone that was not used to wearing goggles, but the more you wear them, the less they interfere with your vision. They make peripheral vision harder than before, but if they protect your eyes, then the obstruction is worth it.



>5. Has there been much of a change in the lacrosse program since your coach Carol Rappoli decided to focus on just lacrosse instead of field hockey?

I don't think we'll see the full impact of the decision until next fall because that's the season where her time availability will be different than in previous seasons. The only other change is the new approach that Carol is taking towards her players, and it's a great change. She's been great this season and I'm not sure if it's because of the decision, but it's been a really positive change for our team in general.



>6. You are only a sophomore and your team is relatively young, how does that age affect your team?

Having a young team can definitely be hard simply because they have not had the experience some of the older players have acquired through the years in the program. As far as our team is concerned, the underclassmen have been amazing and every day gets better and better. It's amazing and really exciting for the future success of the team.



7. What game do you look forward to the most and why?

Well, I was excited to play Trinity because that was one of the saddest losses of the season last year since the first half we were leading by two or three points. But now that we've played that game, (and won!), I'd have to say Middlebury just because they're the best in the league, which is a great challenge. We have a lot of talent on our team and I think if we play our top game, it will be a good match.